Let this royal installation inspire us to unite

THE throne of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, or the King of Malaysia, is more than just a symbol of the country’s sovereignty.

The seat holder is also charged with the duty to, among others, ensure the nation’s wellbeing, the rakyat’s interest and more importantly, the people’s unity.

Yesterday’s installation of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim as the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong was subsequently marked by his commitment to discharge his duties faithfully, honestly and fairly, with full consideration of all segments of society.

“Last but not least, let us pray to Allah SWT to bless Malaysia so that the country will continue to progress and prosper, with the people living in unity, peacefully and happily,” the King said in his Royal Address.

The 65-year-old King has long advocated unity and moderation, as he had expressed earlier during his birthday on March 23 – and being the very model of a modern royal, he of course turned to Facebook to send his message to the people.

“In conjunction with the Official Birthday, I received cakes, fruits and flowers as gifts. I would like to convey my thanks for all the gifts received.

“Yet, the most meaningful gift for me is the unity among races, as it is the key to the country’s prosperity,” the King said in one of his posts.

Sultan Ibrahim is well-known for not mincing his words and tends to put them into action to showcase his seriousness about upholding his duties as a Ruler, as seen through how freqeuntly His Majesty mingles with the people.

His Majesty certainly walks the talk, making appearances at festive celebrations by people of all races and religions.

The King attributes the trait to the Bangsa Johor concept, which upholds a longstanding practice of uniting people of various races.

“The concept of Bangsa Johor is a fine example, and a pillar of unity in society,” His Majesty said in a social media post.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim summarised what most Malaysians wish for in his congratulatory post on Facebook.“May Allah SWT bless the reign of Your Majesty and continue to uphold the highest position within the nation’s Federal Constitution, in line with the Royal Institution’s role as the protector of Islam and a symbol of unity and prosperity for all ethnic groups in the country,” the Prime Minister wrote on Facebook yesterday.Undoubtedly, while the King is a unifying figure, we as the people are also bound to commit to the cause of fostering better ties between us.

We can achieve more through unity, rather than maintaining divisive statures that have been proven time and again to be harmful to the country.

His Majesty’s installation should be an impetus for Malaysians to remain stronger together. Daulat Tuanku!