Tuesday December 2, 2008
By WONG CHUN WAI
The Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, known as a person who speaks his mind, gives his views on several current issues – from the changing political scenario after March 8 to the recent fatwa on yoga.
ON POLITICS, THE SOCIAL CONTRACT AND TOLERANCE
Your Royal Highness, since the March 8 elections, Malaysia has seen a lot of changes in the political landscape. Selangor, for example, is now under the Pakatan Rakyat while many national political figures come from the state. What is your general impression on politics?
As a rule, I do not get involved in politics. I am expected to remain neutral and above politics and I am very conscious of this. But I wish to say that the expectations of Malaysians have increased. They want their elected representatives to be more mature and to have more depth.
Sultan Sharafuddin: ‘There is a need for more common sense. I hope the politicians will take note of this.’ For example, I am disturbed that some of our politicians, regardless of their political parties, prefer to dwell on trivial issues. They are harping on issues that have no relevance to the country. With the global economic crisis, I would expect them to focus their energy and resources on how best they could help Malaysians face this financial uncertainty. But the issues that these politicians have brought up are disappointing. I am concerned with the manner some politicians exploit racial issues for their own agenda.
Malaysia belongs to all races, not just the Malays. The country is what it is today because of the contributions of all races and that is something we must acknowledge.
I am concerned with the quality of some politicians. I hope the leaders will put some thought into grooming and succession. This is like a race. The baton must be passed to the best runner to finish the race. We are talking about the future of our children. They deserve the best leaders.
Tuanku, at the recent Conference of Rulers meeting, a statement was issued defending the country’s social contract, stressing the need for Malays to be united and assuring non-Malays of their rights under the Federal Constitution. Was it at the initiative of Tuanku?
Yes, it was my initiative but it was made collectively following consultations with my brother Rulers. People need to understand that the social contract is a primary basis on the formation of Malaysia.
It has held the country together. The general principles have been accepted by all races. The country has been successful because of the spirit of give and take. Let’s not debate it because it is better for the rakyat to understand the history behind the social contract and know how Malaysia’s independence came into being.
The rights of the Malays are well protected, no one can just take away these rights and they cannot be amended without consent from the Conference of Rulers.
Malay unity is important. Any form of dispute – political or factional – is bad. As Rulers, we want to see the people, especially the country’s largest ethnic group, to be focused on more important things.
That was why after the last Rulers Conference, we came out with the statement that the non-Malays should not feel apprehensive over their rights. These are rights guaranteed under the federal and state Constitutions. We took great pains to ensure the statement was carefully worded, taking into account how sensitive this matter is.
ON YOGA AND FATWAS
Could Tuanku comment on the controversy surrounding the fatwa prohibiting Muslims from practising yoga?
State religious matters come under the jurisdiction of the Rulers. It is a state matter. In states with no Sultans, it is the King who decides. It is not the prerogative of the Mentri Besar or Chief Minister, let’s be clear.
In the case of a fatwa, there are many steps to be taken before it can be gazetted. The state Fatwa Council, chaired by the Datuk Mufti, has to deliberate on such matters. Anyone can make proposals but finally, it is the Ruler who has the final say.
Islam is a beautiful religion. It is a practical religion. It must be known for its values and compassion. It is not about punishments or banning this or that. This has unfortunately happened. Islam is not about force. Substance is more important, let’s not forget.
I noticed that in the case of the yoga issue, some people seemed eager to jump the gun by making announcements to show their authority when they have none. The result is confusion. Muslims and non-Muslims are confused.
An indepth and thorough study by the state Fatwa Council must be conducted before any decision is sent to me for approval.
ON APPOINTMENTS AND STATE AWARDS
Tuanku, recently there was controversy over the appointment of a non-Malay as acting general manager of the Selangor State Develop-ment Board (PKNS). What is your opinion?
I think it was a non-issue. The person has served in PKNS loyally and effectively for 30 years, so why should her promotion be questioned? If she’s not good, she would have been sacked a long time ago.
Her job as acting general manager, which is only temporary, is only to ensure the smooth running of daily operations. She cannot make any decision that runs contrary to the objectives of PKNS, as raised by some quarters. The Mentri Besar is still the PKNS chairman and also the board will decide on policy matters.
Moreover, she would just be an acting general manager while the state government looks for a chief executive officer as replacement. The PKNS must function effectively while the search is continuing for a suitable candidate. I don’t know why her appointment should be an issue.
Your Royal Highness, you have made it a point to limit the number of Datukships but the perception is that certain states have been over-generous in awarding these titles. Some feel that Datukships have lost their prestige.
I do not want to talk about other states. But as far as Selangor is concerned, there is a limit. It has been my practice to award fewer than 30 people Datukships even though the state limits it to 40. Only people who have contributed to the state or country deserve the title. It should not be given to any Tom, Dick or Harry. It should not be perceived that you can buy them. If that happens, or has happened, then those responsible must examine themselves.
This year, I have decided that only a few people would be awarded Datukship, two Dato Seri and one Dato Setia.
There would be no politicians, either from the past or present government. The present government is barely eight months old and it would need to prove itself first. Even a baby takes nine months to be born. We must give them enough time to show their work.
I am sure there are deserving cases in the present state government but let us wait first. Let them focus on their work, not awards or rewards. Titles should not come with positions.
As I said, I do not want to comment on the position of awards in other states but in Selangor, I wish to maintain its prestige and exclusiveness. It must be branded so people would value it and people would have high regard for the recipients.
BEHAVIOUR OF SELANGOR STATE ASSEMBLYMEN AT THE STATE ASSEMBLY
I understand that Tuanku has taken steps to check the behaviour and decorum of state assemblymen.
I have asked palace officials and even my brother to attend State Assembly meetings. I want them to report to me how these assemblymen, that means the state government and opposition, prepare themselves for these meetings. Do they know what they are talking about and have they done their homework? Are they taking part or just sitting quietly to observe the proceedings with no contribution.
This decision is not aimed at any particular party. It doesn’t matter if they are in Pakatan or Barisan. If they behave badly or ignore decorum, I will have a word with them. This is not political interference. I repeat not political interference. I just want them to know they represent Selangor, so they should be at their best.
ON CRIME AND POLICING IN SELANGOR
Tuanku, crime has continued to be a major concern in Selangor which has the highest crime rate in this country.
I continue to receive complaints from the rakyat on the ground situation. I read about crime in the newspapers and even at dinner conversations. People talk about it. It’s not just a Selangor problem but a national problem. In Selangor, we have the highest crime rate because the population is now the biggest in Malaysia. This is also a place which attracts outsiders and foreigners because of job opportunities. Social problems such as crime comes naturally unfortunately. It is expected.
I have been told that crime prevention has improved. The Selangor police are saying that this is their most successful period in the last 10 years with the state index showing a marginal increase. Gombak, Ampang, Shah Alam, Kuala Langat, Hulu Selangor and Sepang districts show decreases overall.
I am sure the police are trying their best but perceptions are important. If the public do not feel safe on the street or even at home, no amount of assurances would be good enough. Even the homes of police officers are burgled. That is bad. There should be more policemen on the streets. People feel safe when they see policemen on patrol. Traffic cops alone are not good enough.
What about the larger use of closed-circuit television (CCTV) in more parts of Selangor?
I am glad you asked that question. This has been bothering me for some time. I am in fact frustrated at the delay in implementing the CCTV project in Selangor. I had suggested this to the previous state government and now, we have a new state government. Nothing has happened, so excuses and more excuses.
The CCTV project has been successfully implemented in Subang but I do not understand what’s holding it back from being implemented statewide by the state government.
There is no point having the best roads or best homes if people don’t feel safe. In Britain, there are thousands and thousands of CCTVs being installed in strategic areas. I cannot understand this delay in Selangor.
Tuanku, what is your hope of the new state government which is now under Pakatan Rakyat?
There is much expectation and anticipation for sure. They were voted in by the rakyat. We have demonstrated that we believe in democracy and the new state government has been formed.
At the same time, we have to understand that the new government is also on a learning curve. However, Selangor is a developed state and the most important state in Malaysia, so the new government must understand the impatience of the people.
People expect them to know their job from day one. On that score, they must understand these demands.
For example, investors would not like it if there are delays in applications for projects. I also do not want them to complain to me that projects are being held up for no good reason.
What is your birthday wish?
It’s simple. I like to see the people of all races live together in harmony. We have been able to do that for the last 50 years and even before independence and I believe the ordinary people love peace. What they want in life is simple – to live happily, have a decent life and see their children have a future in Malaysia.
I share their aspirations and I hope the politicians would also understand the need for this. Let us all adopt a give and take approach. Let there be consensus.
There is a need for more common sense. I hope the politicians will take note of this. If you have a degree from Oxford or Cambridge, it does not mean you have common sense and I have to stress that common sense is important.
I also wish to see less friction or less emphasis on trivialities. We tend to focus on trivial issues which serve no purpose.
Some people are quick to make judgments or quick to react without understanding a matter thoroughly or studying it in-depth first.
Related Story: Sultan: No titles for politicians this year
雪苏丹指大马不是马来人专属
非议政客爱炒作琐碎种族课题 |
| 12月2日 傍晚5点11分 |
 雪州苏丹沙拉夫丁依德里斯沙（ Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah ，右图）表示，马来西亚是属于全民的，而非马来人专属的国家。
“马来西亚是属于所有种族的，不但是马来人的。这个国家今天的成就来自所有种族的贡献。这是我们必须承认的。”
殿下在接受英文《星报》专访时指出，在308大选之后，马来西亚人民对政治人物的期待提高了，他们要求民意代表更成熟和更有深度。
这位雪州苏丹遗憾一些朝野政治人物喜欢钻牛角尖，专门炒作一些无关紧要的琐碎课题。殿下接着更表明，反对政治人物炒作种族课题。
“这些政治人物所提出的课题实在让人失望。一些政治人物为了自己的议程，炒作种族课题。这样的做法让我感到担忧。”
非马来人权益受到宪法保障
在访谈中，苏丹也提醒非马来人无需担心自己的权益，因为他们是受到国家和各州宪法所保障的。
殿下承认，最近统治者会议所发表的声明是在他的发起推动下的产物。在这份声明里，统治者呼吁人民必须捍卫社会契约，马来人应团结起来，同时保证非马来人在宪法底下的权益。
刘秀梅暂代雪发展局非课题
 针对委任刘秀梅（左图）暂代雪州发展局总经理的风波，苏丹殿下表示，这根本不是一项课题。
“一个在雪州发展局忠心和有效地服务了30年的人，为什么她的升职会被质疑呢？若她（刘秀梅）是没有能力的人，她老早就会被炒掉了。”
找人期间雪发展局不能停摆
殿下补充说，刘秀梅同时不过是暂代总经理的职务，好让雪州政府可以找到一个适当的替代人选。在此空窗间，雪州发展局不能停摆，因此为确保该局顺利运作，刘秀梅的暂代是不成问题的。
这位苏丹更指出，刘秀梅掌符期间绝不可能违反雪州发展局的宗旨，因为州务大臣卡立仍是该局的主席，而且所有政策其实都是通过董事来决定的。
雪州大臣卡立依布拉欣在10月底任命雪州经济发展局副总经理（企业及财务部）刘秀梅出任该局代总经理。这项委任不仅引起该机构内部的反弹声音，就连同属民联州政府的回教党与行动党也各持己见；雪州回教党公开反对，而行动党领袖则认为州政府应该唯才是用。
统治者瑜伽禁令最终裁决者
 对于最近闹得沸沸扬扬的禁止练习瑜伽禁令，殿下重申本身掌握这些宗教勒令的最后裁决权，并已要求雪州回教裁决理事会事先针对该课题进行深入和透彻的研究后才做出决定，然后才将决定呈交殿下批准。
殿下指出，各州宗教事务落在苏丹管辖范围内。至于在没有苏丹的州属，相关的权力则落在国家元首的手上，而非由州务大臣或首席部长决定。
“就回教勒令而言，在它能够被公报之前，仍需要经过许多的步骤。由宗教司（Datuk Mufti）所领导的州回教裁决理事会（Fatwa Council）可以讨论相关课题和提出建议，不过最后，拍板决定的人是统治者。”
有人为展示权威而擅自宣布
殿下更批评道，在瑜伽课题当中，一些人过于急躁，急于展示自己的权威而擅自向外宣布；但事实上，他们并没有这样的权力。这样的举动都让穆斯林和非穆斯林社群混淆不已。
回教裁决理事会在11月22日裁决练习瑜伽有违回教教义，并宣布禁止回教徒学习，因为瑜伽涉及宗教膜拜（兴都教）、诵经及肢体动作三项元素。
今年雪州不会册封政治人物
询及封衔泛滥的问题，殿下表示，就雪州而言，即使名额是40人，但实际上每次敕封的人数都不会超过30人，而且只授予那些多国家或州属有贡献的人士。
这位雪州苏丹透露，今年不会有政治人物获得册封，无论他们来自前朝或现任的民联州政府。
“我肯定在现任政府当中，有一些人士值得册封的，不过让我们等等看。让他们专注于他们的工作，而非册封或奖赏。封衔不应该跟职位联系在一起。” |
今年共有六个组织入围人权奖，有鉴于这些组织有本质上的差别，因此评审之一的爱琳夏维尔（
爱琳夏维尔在颁奖时也表示，本南族所抗争的对象是手握大权的政府、财力雄厚的伐木公司，而该族长期被孤立在砂拉越州内陆流域，没有太多的外援，但是在面对这麽残忍无情的压迫之下，这支只有数千人口的原住民，依然没有放弃斗争。
今天，继任酋长、也是柯拉绍南的侄子提容拉翁（
一朝天子一朝臣，随着副首相纳吉在明年3月接棒，我国预料也会涌现一批被视为与其关系密切的新贵，在政坛和商场上叱咤风云。
赛莫达（左图）的多元资源重工业，也在纳吉的选区北根拥有一间大型汽车工厂，是当地最大的雇主。此外，多元资源重工业属下的国防工业私人由县共岁（Defence Technologies）也是我国其中一家主要的国防交通工具的供应商。
此 外，作为前首相拉萨长子的纳吉，也拥有4名在各领域活跃的弟弟。他们分别是，担任律师的二弟佐哈里（Johari Razak）、从事投资银行业的三弟莫哈末尼詹（Mohamed Nizam Razak）、担任绘测师的四弟莫哈莫纳金（Mohamed Nazim Razak），以及最广为人知的五弟，也担任联昌国际银行集团首席执行员的纳兹尔（Nazir Razak，右图）。
军警在现场已抢通一条临时道路，让之前受困的百余名居民撤离。 
这起土崩事件已经导致有关住宅区的主要道路被切断，共有数以百计的居民在上午受困在国际山庄。
警方已下令国际山庄土崩现场附近公寓的3000至5000名居民疏散以策安全。
另外，根据《星洲简讯》雪州务大臣卡立表示，现阶段，或首12个小时，救灾将以救人为主要任务，其后才会启动以神手清理现场的工作。
其中一户受害者是首相机要秘书莫哈默塔祖丁（Mohamed Thajudeen Abdul Wahab）。他们一家人都安好无恙，因为事发时不在家。
首相阿都拉今天巡视国际山庄土崩现场时呼吁，为了安全考量，所有州政府应该慎重考虑停止所有在高风险山坡的房屋计划。
雪州警长卡立（Khalid Abu Bakar，左图）昨晚在现场表示，救难人员将继续寻找第5名失踪者。
前副首相的慕沙希旦（左图）遗憾地表示，“看来，没有任何人从（高峰塔）惨剧中学习到教训。”
1993 年12月11日，淡江山景园（Taman Hillview）一座公寓大楼（高峰塔A栋）同样因为土崩而倒塌；当时，有48人罹难，而慕沙希旦的儿子拉希卡洛斯（Rashid Carlos）和媳妇罗紫塔（Rozita）也在其中。高原塔离开昨天的土崩地点不过1.5公里。
事发后，首相阿都拉巴达威及副首相纳吉第一时间宣布，政府不会再批准高山发展计划。可是两人日前发出的豪言，有效期是几个月？或是换个问题：两人的宣布有没有实际效用？
1994年政府修订
这 个现象足以说明，政府在淡江高峰塔惨剧发生后提出的修令建议，只是纯粹的政治动作，毫无实际效用可言。政府的公信力可说已随国际山庄的14户洋房崩塌，首 相和副首相发出的豪言豪语很难再取信于民。人民担心的是，下一宗惨剧发生时回头再看，“禁止山坡发展”的言论同样是毫无实效的政治语言。
“白沙罗21”计划建造21栋奢华洋房，每栋价值在马币1000万到1500万元之间，发展商雪兰莪铁船在工程进行前已获得发展和广告执照。可是，这个房屋工程在今年八月间引发两次土崩，山泥冲破防护墙，
发展商没有按照法律规定提呈发展建议报告，吉隆坡市政厅怎能开出发展绿灯？马来西亚人第一个反应肯定是，其中有否牵涉台底交易？美丹白沙罗居民协会已向反贪污局投报吉隆坡市长和市政厅贪污。
加 星山联合行动委员会成员兼Maxwell公寓居民协会主席杨坚华（右图）告诉《独立新闻在线》，民联雪兰莪州政府执政后，宣布从今年4月1日起停止批准第 三级和第四级斜坡，或斜度达25度及以上的斜坡的发展工程，且八打灵再也市议会也已经在宪报上颁布保留加星山作为森林区，可是由于这座山分属雪州和吉隆坡 市政府，吉隆坡市政厅执意发展该市拥有的16.5英亩土地，尽管该山约50%的土地斜度超过25度（25度到30度的斜坡属于第三级斜坡，31度以上则属 于第四级斜坡）。
可是，两年已经过去，吉隆坡市长且已换上新面孔，在国际山庄发生夺命土崩次日，祖哈斯南还在说“交环境敏感区委员会重新审视”，叫当地居民的心如何能平？
林 立迎（左图）还向《独立新闻在线》透露，雪兰莪铁船已入禀法院控告居协主席、秘书等人诽谤，且要求法院发出封口令。此事尚未曝光，居协秘书拒绝在这个时候 透露任何详情。他表示，居协将在本周六召开会议，届时才向媒体透露详情，而祖哈斯南早在土崩发生前就已答应在12月17日与居民面谈。
