'Malay Supremacy' issue!

Equal rights for all Malaysians, says Perlis ruler



KANGAR: The Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Syed Jamalullail, yesterday took to task those propounding the "ketuanan Melayu" (Malay supremacy) policy, accusing them of using "narrow-minded ways to achieve personal objectives".
He said every Malaysian, irrespective of age, gender, social status or religion, enjoyed equal rights.

The ruler said some Malaysians were making a big issue of the "ketuanan Melayu" issue and asking that supremacy or rights be given only to a particular race.

"It is very unfortunate to see these self-interested parties raising sensitive issues which could dampen the spirits and hopes of millions of people. In Malaysia, every race is tuan," he said in his speech at the launching of a seminar on the Federal Constitution here. The seminar was jointly organised by the state government and the Biro Tatanegara.

The Raja of Perlis reminded everyone that no individual should be deprived of his rights and that sensitive issues should not be raised in a multi-racial country like Malaysia.
"Sensitive issues and disharmony in society will only bring harm to the country," he added.

He said after 51 years, there was an understanding between the royal houses, leaders of all races and political parties in the country on the multi-racial character of the nation.

"This understanding is referred to as a social contract. It is to ensure that every race lives in harmony. The rights of every individual and race cannot not be taken away and at the same time Islam will remain the official religion of the country."

The Raja of Perlis said the role of the Malay royalty should be upheld as they had played the most significant role in defending the rights of the people. He said it was the responsibility of the royalty to ensure that everyone lived in harmony.

"Today, many individuals redefine the social contract in the Federal Constitution in their own narrow-minded way for personal objectives.

"I believe that if everyone understands that every individual of any race, should not be deprived of their rights, then the efforts of certain parties who think that the supremacy or rights should only be given to a particular race can be stopped," he said.

The ruler hoped that the contents of the Federal Constitution will be clearly understood by all, including the leaders of political parties.

Jangan biar emosi kuasai diri


Cubaan guna isu sensitif gugat integriti Perlembagaan harus dicegah: Raja Perlis

KANGAR: Raja Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail bertitah rakyat tidak harus membiarkan kepentingan emosi dan peribadi menguasai mereka sehingga menjejaskan Perlembagaan Persekutuan yang menjadi teras perpaduan negara.

Titah baginda, cubaan pihak berkepentingan menggunakan isu sensitif untuk mengganggu gugat integriti Perlembagaan Persekutuan harus digagalkan supaya ketenteraman dan perpaduan negara yang dikecapi sejak 51 tahun yang lalu terus terpelihara.

Malah, titah baginda pendekatan yang bebas daripada emosi, penghuraian berdasarkan fakta serta keterbukaan berlandaskan realiti perlu dijana untuk menghakis pernyataan ditimbulkan pelbagai pihak yang cuba mengungkit isu ketuanan dan keistimewaan sesuatu kaum, hak beragama dan kemuliaan Raja-Raja.

Bagi baginda, tindakan pihak yang cuba membangkitkan isu kontrak sosial yang diterjemahkan melalui Perlembagaan Persekutuan, dengan memberikan tafsiran peribadi melalui sudut pandangan yang sempit dan menjurus kepada agenda tersendiri, menimbulkan perasaan kurang senang di kalangan rakyat.

"Adalah malang jika kita biarkan pihak berkepentingan menggunakan perkara sensitif untuk menggagalkan Perlembagaan Persekutuan yang menjadi manifestasi kepada aspirasi dan harapan seluruh rakyat.

"Bagi saya, setiap rakyat tanpa mengira kaum adalah tuan di negara ini dan mereka bebas menganuti serta mengamalkan apa juga agama yang mereka percayai, dengan syarat tidak menyinggung agama lain.

"Bagaimanapun, pada masa sama kemuliaan Raja-Raja harus dipertahankan kerana Raja-Raja berperanan sebagai pelindung kepada semua rakyat jelata tanpa mengira perbezaan yang wujud baik dalam bentuk fahaman politik, suku kaum atau anutan agama," titah baginda merasmikan Seminar Khas Perlembagaan Malaysia di sini, semalam.
Seminar sehari anjuran kerajaan negeri Perlis dengan kerjasama Biro Tata Negara itu bertujuan menghurai dan menyelesaikan persoalan mengenai kontrak sosial yang sering dibangkitkan banyak pihak. Hadir sama, Menteri Besar Perlis, Datuk Seri Dr Md Isa Sabu.

Raja Perlis turut menyentuh tindakan segelintir pihak yang cuba mengaitkan isu kontrak itu dengan emosi serta kepentingan peribadi.
Titah baginda, sejarah membuktikan 51 tahun yang lalu, satu persefahaman diikat untuk bersama mewujudkan sebuah negara merdeka dan berdaulat, yang terbit daripada perpaduan antara Raja-Raja Melayu, pemimpin kaum serta parti politik yang mendapat mandat rakyat.

The Raja of Perlis said the role of the Malay royalty should be upheld
as they had played the most significant role in defending the rights of
the people. He said it was the responsibility of the royalty to ensure
that everyone lived in harmony.

"Today, many individuals
redefine the social contract in the Federal Constitution in their own
narrow-minded way for personal objectives.

The social contract in Malaysia refers to the agreement made by the country's founding fathers in the Constitution. The social contract usually refers to a quid pro quo trade-off through Articles 14–18 of the Constitution, pertaining to the granting of citizenship to the non-Malay people of Malaysia, and Article 153, which grants the Malays special rights and privileges. The term has also been used occasionally to refer to other portions of the Constitution, such as the Article stating that Malaysia is a secular state.