PKR Youth today attempted to break the taboo on the sensitive matter of the royal institution, calling for its reform.

In his policy speech at the Youth wing congress in Johor Baru today, PKR Youth chief Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin said reforming the institution of royalty would stop it from being "used by the ruling party for political purposes".

One way to reform, he said, would be to return to the olden practice of only allowing an educated heir to accede to the throne.

NONE In particular, Shamsul said, the sultan, including the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, should be educated in Islamic knowledge and have sufficient experience to be the head of the religion in their respective states and territories.

"The condition for an heir to be prepared in terms of knowledge and experience before he or she is raised to the throne in the olden days should be observed again.

"It is our responsibility to reinstate the glory of the constitutional monarchy... the elevation (of the sultan, in status from the ranks) comes with the great trust and responsibility, a social contract with the rakyat," he said.

Block move to use palace for mileage

He said the institution of royalty should play a "balancing" role and "take an active stance to block any extreme move by the government or attempts to involve the palace in political gains".

This can only be done if "moral authority" was returned to the monarchy, so that it was accorded the due respect, despite not having executive powers.

Shamsul said the act of pointing out these areas for improvement should also not be seen as "taboo", for it showed the rakyat's concern and care for the monarchy.

"We don't want the constitutional monarchy to be a mere symbol but for it to be the protector of the weak and defender of the oppressed," he said.

On another matter, Shamsul called for more young candidates to be nominated to contest elections, and in constituencies with higher chances of winning.

By doing so, he added, PRK would be showing its trust in the youth and sending more young elected representatives into Parliament and state assemblies.