MCA slams opposition leaders, says shouldn’t disparage Agong

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Top opposition leaders have been rebuked for purportedly disparaging the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on his royal address made in Parliament yesterday.

MCA central committee member Ti Lian Ker said it was regrettable how top opposition leaders Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Lim Kit Siang and Mohamad Sabu had “shown contempt” on the advice given by the Agong.

The Agong, yesterday had urged lawmakers to cease politicking and expressed his wish for the continuation of the current administration in order to realise the goal of making Malaysia a high-income nation.

In response to the speech, Lim had said that the Agong had merely read out a speech prepared by the government, while Wan Azizah and Mohamad disagreed with the speech, with the latter pointing out that as politicians, they were expected to play politics.

Ti, however, said the Agong’s advice was timely and wise, and was given in the interest of political stability.

“Instead of showing reverence and respect to the advice of His Majesty in accordance with his role as a monarch under the federal constitution, these politicians have snubbed the Agong and also displayed contempt for the role of the constitutional monarch by making statements which are unbecoming of the legislative.

“The trio’s unbecoming statements made in public dismissing His Majesty’s address and advice are in contempt of the Agong and is tantamount to undermining the expressed provisions of the federal constitution of which they have sworn to uphold."

Urging the trio to retract their statements and to apologise to the Agong as well as to the nation, Ti said relevant authorities should also discipline them to remind them of their breach of duty to protect the institution of the Agong.

“Not only did they disrespect the constitution, they also belittled the advice given by the Agong who is the Head of State, the Head of the Judiciary; the Head of Islam; the Chief Commander of the Armed Forces.

“While democracy means one has the right to disagree, the trio should be reminded that this right does not mean the right to be rude, contemptuous and discourteous,” said Ti.



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