COMMENT | We, the following NGOs, condemn strongly the threats and harassment targeting former law minister Zaid Ibrahim for his Twitter comments on constitutional monarchy.

We staunchly defend constitutional monarchy as a key element of our parliamentary democracy, which in turn stands on the rule of law, and civil and political liberties as enshrined in our Federal Constitution.

We stress that there is no room for mob rule in a loving constitutional monarchy.

While recognising that the subject matter evokes strong emotion to many Malaysians, we believe the use of threat and violence is a direct attack on rule of law, which only serves to drag the monarchy into a political skirmish and undermines its paramount function to include and unite all citizens, regardless of their specific political persuasion.

We also commend the police for the arrest and investigation of Sungai Besar Umno division chief Jamal Md Yunos. We hope the investigation will result in the upholding of the rule of law, instead of virtual impunity.

If Zaid's comment has broken any law, he should be charged in court, with his innocence assumed until proven guilty, and he should not be subjected to a political witch hunt and thuggery.

The police must, therefore, defend the monarchical institution from insidious attempts that undermine rule of law that pretends to be expressions of royalism.

We remind all Malaysians: a real love for constitutional monarchy must be based on the love for rule of law, on which constitutional monarchy stands. Undermining the rule of law is, therefore, akin undermining the constitutional monarchy.

Written on behalf of: 

1. Angkatan Warga Aman Malaysia (WargaAMAN)

2. ENGAGE

3. Federation of Malaysian Indian Organisations (PRIMA)

4. GREENfriends Sabah

5. Kajian Politik untuk Perubahan (KPRU)

6. Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH)

7. Kumpulan Aktivis Mahasiswa Independen (KAMI)

8. LLG Cultural Development Centre (LLG)

9. Malaysian Indians Progressive Association (MIPAS)

10. Malaysian Indians Transformation Action Team (MITRA)

11. Malaysian Youth Care Association (PRIHATIN)

12. Muslim Professional Forum (MPF)

13. Oriental Hearts and Mind Study Institute (OHMSI)

14. Partners of Community Organizations in Sabah (PACOS Trust)

15. Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara (Aliran)

16. Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan (PERMAS)

17. Persatuan Rapat Malaysia (RAPAT)

18. Pertubuhan IKRAM Malaysia (IKRAM)

19. Sahabat Rakyat

20. Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia (SABM)

21. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)

22. Research For Social Advancement (REFSA)

23. Tamil Foundation

24. Teoh Beng Hock Trust for Democracy

25. Tindak Malaysia

26. Writers Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI)

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.