This Malaysiakini report (plus many others) makes make me think about the role Malaysian royals in public affairs.
In principle, I am happy that Malaysian royals are playing their role as one of the check and balance institutions. But this can only be done if they accept that they too are not immune from criticism.
So, respected Royal Highnesses, by all means please do get involved in public affairs. But do remember that if you want to criticise, be ready to be criticised. Attempts to hide behind the cloak of royal immunity will eventually invite people to start deliberating about republicanism.
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I also want to add that, if the Royals want to be more active in public life, they must be open to public scrutiny on their expenses. They must be willing to disclose how much it costs the public to help them sustain their lifestyle. I don’t mean just a simple disclosure to state or federal government. I mean proper public disclosure. In short, what I am asking is, can they prove publicly that they are worth the public money spent on them?
There is also one big question of how to justify spending taxpayers money collected from a multi-ethnic population to support an institution that protects the debated “sovereignty” of one race and one religion.
To that effect, if there are any laws that prevent the public and the media from openly debating and questioning the roles and the actions of the Rulers and their family members must be removed.
The British monarchy can be an initial source of reference, prior to developing our own model of royal accountability See here.
Filed under: Misc, malaysiakini report
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