CCM welcomes Malay Rulers' decree to stop raising racial, religious issues

PETALING JAYA: The Council of Churches Malaysia welcomes the decree of the Majlis Raja-Raja (Council of Rulers) that leaders of political parties must stop raising racial and religious issues to instigate or incite the public.

Council of Churches of Malaysia general-secretary Rev Jonathan Jesudas said the decrees of Their Majesties for the government to instil the spirit of equality among the people and to emphasise the Rukun Negara as the basis of Malaysian society are timely and vital for the full functioning of the Malaysian polity under a unity government.

“The prayers of the churches in the council are with the nation, Their Majesties and the various branches of government in Malaysia,” he said in a statement on Thursday (Dec 1).

Rev Jonathan added that the institution of Constitutional Monarchy in the constitutional framework of Malaysia has been, and is, a great blessing to the nation.

“In the past few years, we have seen how the leadership and counsel of Their Majesties, the Malay Rulers individually, and jointly as the Conference of Rulers have moderated the excesses of acrimonious party politics in Malaysia.

“The role and wise leadership especially of our King, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, in promoting a politics of reconciliation and unity to replace toxic politics, has borne much fruit in preparing Malaysia for a phase of coalition politics in the country,” he said.

The Malay Rulers have urged the new government to instil a "spirit of togetherness" among Malaysians.

Specifically, Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir said, "I hope that there will be no more leaders who raise racial or religious issues with the aim of inciting the community”, after chairing the 260th Council of Rulers meeting on Wednesday (Nov 30).