King wants racial bickering to stop

THE Yang di-Pertuan Agong gave a grave reminder to Members of Parliament on the importance of keeping peace and unity in the country even as a Malay rights group tried to protest outside the building.

In his Royal Address on the opening of the 14th Parliament yesterday, Sultan Muhammad V welcomed the setting up of a consultative council on harmonious relations, which was one of the pledges in the Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto.

Ethnic, religious and cultural diversity, he said, were thought by some to be “the perfect recipe for disaster.”

“We are grateful that as a nation, we have proven otherwise.

“We must put an end to all the negative elements as well as the irresponsible actions that threaten the essence of peace, people’s well-being and the stability of the nation.

“Stop the bickering on racially sensitive issues and we welcome the suggestion to form the consultative council to help promote and enhance unity through various programmes,” he said in his 15-minute speech.

The King also advised everyone to accept the rakyat’s decision in choosing their Government, adding that this should be done without being “emotional, narrow-minded or having prejudicial and slanderous thoughts” influenced by sensationalism and speculation.

“We hope that everyone will work together in striving towards unity as well as finding solutions for the people’s good and the survival of our nation,” he said.

Sultan Muhammad V said even as the country modernised, religious duties and good moral values must be preserved and urged for solutions to be found to curb social ills and negative elements impacting society.

Earlier, a planned march by the Umno-led Pemantau Malaysia Baru to the Parliament building failed to take off after police stopped them.

Wearing black and carrying placards, some 50 people, including Umno supreme council member Datuk Lokman Noor Adam and artiste Ellie Suriati, had wanted to protest what they claimed were attempts to undermine the King’s power, the position of Islam and bumiputra rights.

A minor scuffle nearly broke out after the group defied police orders not to march towards the Parliament’s gates but the protestors calmed down and dispersed shortly at around 10am.

Lokman said the group just wanted to show its support and loyalty to the King.

The protest was in the wake of criticism by some groups against the appointment of several non-Muslims into top government positions.

Later, City Police Chief Comm Datuk Seri Mazlan Lazim said the organisers did not have permission for the protest, adding that they had failed to inform the authorities.

“We will call in the organiser to give a statement,” he said at the Bukit Jalil police station.