S'gor sultan tells state reps, Wong, Liu to visit Rukun Negara monument regularly

Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has advised all state assemblypersons to visit the newly installed Rukun Negara monument plaque at Dataran Selangor twice a month to better understand and appreciate the national principles.

In particular, he suggested that Seri Kembangan assemblyperson Wong Siew Ki and former Selangor exco Ronnie Liu visit the site even more frequently to learn the importance of respecting the royal institution and upholding proper conduct.

“This is specifically addressed to the Seri Kembangan state representative, Wong of DAP, and former Selangor DAP state exco member Liu. 

“I would suggest that they come once a week to Dataran Selangor to better understand and appreciate the meaning of the Rukun Negara, to become citizens who know how to respect the sovereignty of the royal institution, and to uphold courtesy, propriety, and moral conduct,” Sultan Sharafuddin said in a statement posted on the Selangor Royal Office’s Facebook today.

Last month, during the debate on the royal address in the Selangor state assembly, Wong urged the state government to consider modern pig farming systems and noted that the issue touched on equality rights under the Federal Constitution.

Certain quarters viewed the remark as disrespectful to the Selangor ruler following a February decree that no such farming is allowed in the state.

Wong also faced harsh criticism and was accused of being “treasonous”, with critics arguing that her proposal was an affront to the sultan’s decree.

Sultan Sharafuddin said that the Selangor Public Works Department constructed the monument plaque and public benches, which he personally funded.

His Royal Highness also provided historical context, recalling that the Rukun Negara was formulated during the national emergency following the May 13, 1969, racial riots. 

He explained that the National Operations Council (Mageran), which governed the country at the time, developed the Rukun Negara as a national ideology aimed at strengthening unity among Malaysia’s various ethnic communities.

The sultan also expressed hope that visitors, especially younger generations, will read, reflect on, and appreciate the Rukun Negara’s principles, emphasising that these form the foundation of unity and social cohesion in Malaysia.

Pig farming saga

Following the uproar against Wong, several leaders, including Liu, came to her defence and called on the state government to address mounting concerns over its pig farming policy.

Liu said the matter was not merely political, as it involved the livelihoods of long-standing farmers, supply chains, prices, and public confidence in the government.

Liu who quit from the DAP in 2023, also questioned why the party’s senior leaders had not sought an audience with the Selangor ruler or raised the matter with the menteri besar, the prime minister, and the cabinet.

On May 7, Sultan Sharafuddin issued a directive calling for a “full stop” to public debate on the suitability of pig farming activities in the state.

In a statement, the private secretary to the sultan, Munir Bani, reaffirmed the sultan’s position expressed in February, stating that the issue must now be put to rest to prevent public unease and to safeguard peace and harmony among Selangor residents.

Following the tense developments, on May 16, Selangor PAS Youth held an anti-DAP demonstration dubbed the “Daulat Tuanku” rally in Shah Alam.

READ MORE: Pig farming: PM backs S'gor ruler's concerns, cites public health

Malaysiakini has contacted Wong and Liu for their comments.

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