LETTER | Speaking at a national banquet recently, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah made a pertinent statement.
His Majesty, who took office on Jan 31, 2019, said: "The institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was the last bastion to ensure the people’s wellbeing and the country’s sovereignty" (FMT, Jan 27, 2024).
His Majesty's call to all citizens to “protect the institution to the best of your ability. Preserve its dignity and never besmirch it with lies and deceit,” is the most poignant and timely advice.
As our 10th prime minister who graced the farewell banquet reiterated, guiding the nation through years of political turmoil is the nation's blessing.
“Beginning with prolonged political instability, the spread and impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and shifting economic downturns, the country had been placed in uncertainty and crisis," pointed out Anwar Ibrahim.
Yes, true as history too will document, His Majesty ensured that peace and well-being remained priorities in these unprecedented circumstances and pains that tested our people and nation.
Mind you, when a government is tested through three changes of prime ministers in such short periods, most nations would have crumbled under rebellion, civil war or political chaos.
Fortunately, despite the nightmares Malaysia ploughed through simply because we had the "last bastion" that ensured efficient leadership and sacrifices beyond ordinary practices.
Even at the general election at the end of November 2022, which saw no political party obtain a sufficient majority to form the government, the palace swung into action to help Malaysia navigate without bloodshed out of this politically moored crisis.
While cynics and rebellious quarters may keep their attacks going to "besmirch" our precious Constitutional Monarchy, we citizens must march onwards determined to "preserve its dignity and be freed from the lies and deceit”.
Indeed, the hope of all Malaysians in our rulers is ever more emboldened now as we get ready to welcome our country's 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the sultan of Johor.
As proven, our royalty institution remains our last bastion of hope when all else fails.
God bless Malaysia.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
