From: fajack@cc.usu.edu
Newsgroups: soc.culture.asean
Subject: Re: Sultan/Agong
Date: 27 Jan 93 19:59:00 GMT
Organization: Utah State University

In article <1k6d0uINN65i@life.ai.mit.edu>, wslee@almond-frost.ai.mit.edu (Whay S. Lee) writes:

> 	Now that the sultans can do no more than regular citizens, and the Executive 
> has so much influance in the Legislature [remember the supreme court judge case a few
> years ago?] , and that UMNO has more than enough seats in the parliament to amend 
> the constitution at will , and that Dr. M holds the ISA/OSA/whateverSA, 
> it seems to me that Dr. M now  has no less than absolute power in M'sia ....  
> 
> 	Anyone thought about the implication of that on the basic concept
> of democracy ?   Perviously, the sultans/agongs had *some* control over the
> government, acting as watchdogs [please pardon the word, used in lack of more
> accurate wording], and the government had some control over them , and so there
> was at least some separation of power .. 
> 

	The sultans are NEVER the watchdogs of the government.  They just
rubber stamp whatever legislation that the government passed.  So we cannot
conclude that Mahathir is trying to consolidate his power.


> 	As far as I am concern, the "sultan" and "agong" are symbols of
> the country, the symbols whose purpose is to command loyalty from all Malaysians.
> The Malaysia community is made up of people of such diversed background and
> roots, we have so many differences amongst us.  The sultan/agong symbols,
> I think, represent the unity of Malaysia dispite all the differences, and
> they are the ** focal point ** of our loyalty towards the coutry.
> 
> 	Note that when I say "sultan" and "agong", I refer to the position
> as a social institution,  not the particular persons holding the said positions.
> 
	The sultan/agong has never command loyalty from Malaysians.  For the
Malays maybe, but not the Chinese.  The Chinese look at the Sultan as a way to
get honor such as "Datuk" etc.  Do you respect an institution that can be
bribed ?  Maybe it is ok to support one Agong, but nine Sultans ? C'mon, give us
a break.  As for the symbol of unity, we never have one, most probably will
never get one.  Badminton ? nah, football, Yes !! 
	
	It is a good thing that Mahathir takes on the Sultans. If UMNO doesn't,
nobody in Malaysia can have a say in this.   The demise of the Sultans
(permature perhaps) will not mean more power to the government, afterall, the 
Sultans have no real political power.  The interference on the judiciary in the
past did pose a threat to the "democracy" in Malaysia.


Jack Teh

	

	

> 

> 	The sultans/agong derive their income from the government, and the
> government has the power to amend the constitution.   Therefore, while
> the agong/sultans are suppose to keep an eye on the government's action,
> I think it is also the government's responsibility to keep the sultan's
> actions under check.  
> 
> 	I am curious what actions Dr. M has taken before this incident
> to pursuade the sultans to re-think their own behavior ( and to discipline
> those in their families ).  Perhaps if the sultans were earlier threatened 
> [again, please pardon the word] with what has happened recently, things 
> would have been different ?     I don't know, I am just guessing ....

> 	Daulat Tuanku.
> 
> 
> whay.
Newsgroups: soc.culture.asean