The first two days of the Parliament's budget session in late October should be used to discuss the statement by the Conference of Rulers yesterday, said DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang.
"It (the statement) encapsulated the three major concerns of all thinking and patriotic Malaysians: the RM50 billion 1MDB scandal, the parlous state of the rule of law and the fragile state of national unity in the country," he said in a statement today.
The Conference of Rulers are "fully justified" in their concerns about the rule of law in Malaysia, he added.
Former Umno leader Khairuddin Abu Hassan's arrest under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act and law professor Azmi Sharom being charged with the Sedition Act are just two examples of "malicious and selective prosecutions and investigations", Lim ( photo ) said.
He also wondered if the cabinet will be responding to the Conference of Rulers' statement after the cabinet meeting this week.
"Do the prime minister and the cabinet endorse this statement and share the worry of the Malay rulers?
"In view of the Malay rulers' concern with 1MDB... will the prime minister and the cabinet announce a new action plan today to dispel all public doubts about government sincerity?" he asked.
The people will know soon enough, Lim said, whether the cabinet is able to address the three issues highlighted by the Conference of Rulers' statement.
Adhere to Rukun Negara principles
In a separate statement today, Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali has commended the statement from the Conference of Rulers.
"On behald of the rakyat of Selangor, we commend our highest regard for their Royal Highnesses and express our deep and sincere appreciation for the views expressed and the invaluable advice given," he said.
In particular, he said the reminder to leaders to always "adhere to the Rukun Negara principles of upholding the constitution and the rule of law" is very timely.
"(The reminder) should remain a guiding light at all times to all those who hold executive power," he said.
Azmin ( photo ) also noted that the statement should not be politicised by anyone.
In addition to the reminder to uphold the constitution, he also commended some other points brought up in the statement:
- There must be transparency in the 1MDB investigations.
- Failure to resolve the 1MDB issue will continue to negatively impact the country's economy and Malaysia's international image.
- If the 1MDB issue was not wisely handled and allowed to drag on, it could jeopardise the livelihood of the people.
- This could also threaten public order and national security.
- All leaders must always ensure that justice is meted out fairly and transparently based on the law.
- Enforcement agencies and regulatory institutions should have transparency, credibility and integrity.
- Leaders must always give priority to factors of security, tranquility, peace and harmony, and place national concerns over personal interests.
- Leaders of political parties and NGOs must not sensationalise racial and religious issues to garner support.
- Harmony and solidarity of the people should be safeguarded at all times and never sacrified for shallow political aims.
Yesterday, the Conference of Rulers released a statement through the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal, Syed Danial Syed Ahmad, after the pre-council meeting of the Conference of Rulers at Istana Negara.
In the statement, the Rulers Conference urged the country's leaders to obey the rule of law .
They also decreed that the 1MDB investigations be completed as soon as possible, among other points.
The 239th meeting of the Conference of Rulers is scheduled for two days starting today.
The strongly-worded statement came amid political turmoil in Malaysia, with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak plagued with scandals revolving around 1MDB.
