A crucial compass

Essential literacy: A politician who understands constitutional boundaries is less likely to make promises that cannot legally be fulfilled, says the writer. — Agencies

HAVING observed Malaysian politics for many years, I find one concern becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. There is a worrying level of constitutional ignorance among some politicians. This becomes most apparent during election campaigns and political speeches.

Time and again, we hear sweeping statements about constitutional rights, the powers of government, the position of the Rulers, citizenship, religion, language or federal-state relations that are plainly inconsistent with the Federal Constitution or reveal only a superficial understanding of it. These are not minor mistakes. And many times such statements shock thinking citizens. They concern the very document that governs our nation.