Enact special law to deal with disobedience to royalty: Umno Youth

• UPDATED 3.01PM | Added Akmal calling for Tiong’s sacking.

Umno Youth has proposed the enactment of a special law to deal with cases concerning uncivilised conduct and disobedience to the Malay rulers.

Its chief Dr Akmal Saleh said this is because the acts of certain quarters have created prejudice against the royal institution, which should be respected and not belittled.

“Umno Youth harshly condemns acts that do not respect the royal institution and will continue to reprimand any individual or party that does so.

“Umno Youth also suggests a special law to be enacted by the government and Parliament to deal with acts of rudeness and disobedience to the Malay rulers, in line with the Rukun Negara,” Akmal said in a statement today.

Akmal was referring to the statement by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang for Malay rulers to have a vision and to be wise in viewing the hereafter, not just the interests in this world alone.

The Marang MP said this in response to the Federal Court’s recent decision to strike down 16 provisions of the Kelantan syariah criminal code.

The remark incurred the wrath of Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who cautioned Hadi to not issue statements that could cause division among Muslims in the country.

Preserve the royalty

In the statement, Akmal also referred to the statement by PKR’s Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim, who said a monarch must abide by constitutional provisions and not follow personal sentiments and tastes.

The outspoken lawmaker said this in response to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar telling MPs from both sides of the political divide that he would not entertain any attempts to topple the government.

Elaborating, Akmal said the statements by Hadi and Hassan were both uncalled for.

“The royal institution should not be used by anyone to earn political dividends for the survival of any individual or party.

“It should be dignified, preserved, and respected.”

Sack ‘extremist and stupid’ Tiong

On an unrelated matter, Akmal insisted that an “extremist and stupid” Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing should be sacked over the bak kut teh issue.

“Yes, indeed, bak kut teh can be converted into halal meat according to you, but do you know how many bak kut teh claimed to be halal are sold in the market?

“The answer is that almost all bak kut teh sold contain pork elements.”

In responding to Tiong’s statement yesterday, Akmal said he stands by his position, that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim should dismiss Tiong from his cabinet.

“Do you mean that when we talk about sensitive matters, especially among Malays, it is considered extremist?

“If so, the extremists are people like you who do not know how to respect the sensitivity of the majority of the Muslim population in this country.”

Stop insulting rulers, dividing Muslims - S'gor sultan cautions Hadi

COMMENT | What does Hadi actually believe in?

LETTER | Hadi is testing steps in dangerous waters

Hadi issues reminders to Muslims, rulers included

COMMENT | Hadi's insurgency against the Madani state

Colonial laws still in place despite independence - Hadi