KUALA LUMPUR – Ahead of the highly anticipated Conference of Rulers meeting this afternoon, Gua Musang MP Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has urged the heads of royal households to rise above personal interests and political parties to arrive at a decision that prioritises the rakyat.
The veteran Umno lawmaker urged the rulers to seek a “leader” who has capability, ability, vision, and a deep understanding of the current situation to lead a government that can lift the country from its dire circumstances.
This comes amid months of backlash against Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his Perikatan Nasional government over their handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on the economy.
In a statement today, Tengku Razaleigh, popularly known as Ku Li, said there is an undercurrent that has not yet been articulated by the people pointing to a loss of confidence in the administration.
Urging the Malay rulers not to allow this wave to gain momentum, he reminded them of their important constitutional role arising from the oath that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had taken before them, after they elected him as their representative.
“This role is inherent in the oath,” said Tengku Razaleigh, urging the rulers to rise above personal considerations when seeking a government leader.
“We are in a state of multiple crises without precedent, where the economy is collapsing and there is a crisis of basic necessities, such as food, health and security.
We either rise to the occasion and solve it, or fail and fall. Leadership is about the life of the nation and the well-being of the rakyat. History has many examples of failed leadership. We cannot afford to fail.”
His remarks come hours before the special Conference of Rulers meeting scheduled for 2.30pm.
Istana Negara yesterday said Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah will raise issues highlighted to him over the past week by political leaders related to efforts to combat the pandemic during the emergency.
The meet will also discuss matters brought up by Special Independent Emergency Committee chairman Tun Arifin Zakaria during an audience with the king yesterday.
The Agong has held individual meetings with top politicians since last Wednesday, starting with Muhyiddin, who was granted another audience yesterday.
Other leaders summoned to the palace were opposition chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, DAP’s Lim Guan Eng, Mohamad Sabu (Amanah), Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (PAS), Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong (MCA), Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (Umno), Tan Sri S. Vigneswaran (MIC) and Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili (Parti Bersatu Sabah).
On Monday, His Majesty granted online audiences to the presidents of Gabungan Parti Sarawak components and Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau of the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation.
Tengku Razaleigh said Malaysians, particularly the poor, are in a state of desperation and despair, consumed by fear of the unknown, and have lost their sense of security.
“What the future holds will depend on what the leadership of the nation can do to bring about a turning point.”
He said leadership is crucial at this moment, with the country in a do-or-die position.
“(The kind of) leadership as we have understood in the past is no longer relevant or capable of dealing with the multiple problems, which include high unemployment, loss of income, finance, food and health, all coming together.” – The Vibes, June 16, 2021
