Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad has poured cold water on Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)'s rally cry of "Ketuanan Rakyat" (people's supremacy), saying "Ketuanan Melayu" (Malay supremacy) cannot be done away with unless the Federal Constitution, which accords the natives their special rights, is amended."In fact, it depends on how people interpret it (Ketuanan Melayu). To me, Ketuanan Melayu is linked to the survival of the sultanate system. To abolish "Ketuanan Melayu" means to change the constitution to do away with the sultanate system in favour of the presidential system," he said.
Shahrir, who was appointed Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister recently after an absence of 20 years from the cabinet, told Sin Chew Daily this when asked to comment on PKR president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail's remark that if her party comes to power at the federal level, party adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will champion "Ketuanan Rakyat" and not "Ketuanan Melayu".
Shahrir said he is not of the view that the sultanate system can be maintained as part of the "Hak Istimewa Melayu" (Malay special rights) (if Ketuanan Melayu) is replaced with Ketuanan Rakyat.
He said Ketuanan Melayu determines the present facets of the country and keeping the sultanate system is part of Ketuanan Melayu as prescribed under Article 153 of the constitution.
Shahrir said only by reforming the present government system, to one of presidential system, can Ketuanan Rakyat be practiced. Otherwise Ketuanan Melayu is not to be denied.
Ketuanan Melayu cannot be denied, because the constitution has institutionalised a system of Constitutional Monarchy for Malaysia. If the Ketuanan Rakyat as espoused by PKR is implemented, where will the sultans be?" he asked.
He felt that Ketuanan Rakyat that is being bandied about by PKR is just a political catchphrase.
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7 comments:
Dear Dato Shahrir,
Please dont confuse us with your rationale of "Ketuanan Melayu".
Constitutional Monarchy has nothing to do with Ketuanan Melayu as per your definition.
Operating from a position of entitlement is very dangerous to oneself. Putting aside politics, if we look at rich spoilt kids who are entitled to the good life without raising a sweat, more often than not, they cannot stand the storm of life on their own. Usually after their daddies pass away, their lives go down the tube.
this guy has no political integrity and credibility to say such things. he who contested in the JB 1988 by election as an independent candidate, should have never had the cheek to stand on UMNO's platform all through these years.
To all,
This country is made up of its legacy and history!! And its history is rooted in a Ketuanan Melayu. Raja Nazrin aptly described it as ," Raja dan istana adalah pelindung kepada adat dan kebesaran kerajaan YANG SEJARAHNYA DI BUMI INI BERTUNJANGKAN KERAJAAN MELAYU".
The so-called Ketuanan Rakyat has no root and history in the Social Contract signed by The UMNO-MCA-MIC, the Malay Rulers and the British colonial government!! (The Social Contract was not between the Malays and Non-Malays. There were three parties to it, the Rakyat, the Malay Sultans and the British!!).
If PKR-DAP-PAS want to do away with this Ketuanan Melayu Contract, it is tantamount to "burning" the Merdeka Agreement and to declare a Ketuanan Rakyat nation of Malaysia?! Similarly, to those who refuse to accept the reality of the Contract, should call for a refrendum of a Republic of Ketuanan Rakyat Malaysia!!
BTW, there's another CONTRACT between Sang Sapurba and Demang Lebar Daun!! For the proponents of Ketuanan Rakyat, do not be ignorant of this SUMPAH of Bukit Siguntang between the Ruler and the Rakyat!! The case of Idris Jusoh against the Terengganu Sultan, or even Mahathir against the Sultans (during the Constitutional crisis) should be viewed from this perspective!!
Shahrir has to earn his keep. now that he is a UMNO minister. Understand his situation, don't be too harsh.
Dear people, please do not politicize and sensationalize this "ketuanan melayu" concept. For us to understand the whole definition put forward by Pak Lah, we have to have a really open mind to view it (which some people dont seem to get anyway, hence the endless bashing).
It is true in a way, "KETUANAN RAKYAT" sort of rhymes or fits in with "PAKATAN RAKYAT" hence it's one good marketing package. Heck, it could just be like Shahrir said, a "catchphrase" to attract the masses. Whether Pakatan Rakyat will actually implement the concept or not (if ever they rule) who knows??
Think before fully accepting whatever is ebing thrown at us.
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