Royal hands that bind


In harmony: Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah with Tengku Permaisuri Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin and other leaders joining in the tossing of Yee Sang at Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Temple in Jenjarom during the recent Selangor Chinese New Year Celebration 2025. — SHAARI CHEMAT/The Star

THE senior Malay Rulers have again risen the occasion, assuring rational Malaysians that they play a crucial and significant role in ensuring religious moderation in this country.

It is most unfortunate that many of our politicians prefer to play safe by remaining silent or make things worse by stoking negative religious and racial narratives when it comes to controversial issues. Both these approaches do not help Malaysia.

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Wong Chun Wai , On the beat
Wong Chun Wai

Wong Chun Wai

Wong Chun Wai began his career as a journalist in Penang and served Star Media Group for nearly four decades in various capacities and roles. He was group editorial and corporate affairs adviser to the group, after having served as group managing director/chief executive officer. "On The Beat" debuted on Feb 23, 1997. Chun Wai has penned the column weekly without a break, except for occasional press holidays when the paper was not published. In May 2011, a compilation of selected articles of On The Beat was published as a book and launched in conjunction with his 50th birthday. Chun Wai also comments on current issues in The Star. He is now chairman of national news agency Bernama.

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