Democracy, in a nutshell, consists of 3 pillars namely the “Executive”, “Legislative” and “Judiciary”. The Executive is the government of the day (President, Prime Minister, Ministers and so on) while the Legislative consists of the two houses of the Parliament. Meanwhile, the Judiciary comprises Supreme Court and other judicial centres or agencies.

 

However, over time, a fourth pillar emerges and plays an important role in strengthening democracy. After all, the powerful Executive pillar can always corrupt the Legislative and Judiciary. In United States, the Media (newspaper, internet, blogs, and social media) plays the role of this fourth pillar. So, when all the 3 original pillars are not functioning as intended, people would turn to the fourth pillar to seek justice.

Malaysia is a unique country because besides the Executive, Legislative and Judiciary pillars, the fourth pillar of the country’s Constitution was the Monarchy. Add in “Social Media” pillar and the country actually has five pillars. I used the word “was” because the Monarchy no longer plays the role which it was “designed” to play after the 1983 amendments to the Constitution of Malaysia.

 

More than 30-years ago in 1983, former PM Mahathir pushed forward a set of amendments to Article 66 so that any law proposed by the Executive and passed by Legislative become law within 30 days, irrespective of whether the Agong (King) had given his assent. Prior to 1983 Constitutional Crisis, the Agong may withhold his assent to any Bills – indefinitely.

Too bad Mark Zuckerberg wasn’t born yet back in 1983, otherwise it would be interesting to see if Mahathir could fight the social media and empower himself with unlimited power as the head of Executive branch, after he ended the judicial independence roughly 5-year later in the 1988 Judicial Crisis. With the Monarchy and Judicial’s wings clipped, the PM position becomes super powerful.

 

Now that the rulers have spoken, with the Council of Rulers issuing a decree urging Najib administration to complete the investigation into the infamous 1MDB scandal as soon as possible and to take appropriate action against those implicated, does this send shivers down the prime minister’s spine? The answer – Najib son of Razak couldn’t care less.

Get real, all the nine Malay rulers can issue decree, warning or whatever they want but there’s nothing they can do to boot PM Najib Razak. All the Malay rulers are powerless after Mahathir raped the Judicial and Monarchy institutions more than 30-years ago. So, does that mean the people are back to square one with no saviour at sight?

 

Not necessarily. The Malay rulers may be toothless constitutionally but they’re very powerful religiously and culturally. All the sultans are the head of Islam in their respective state. And thanks to the entrenched feudalism amongst the Malays especially the rural village folks, the rulers can influence them on what to think about the heavily tainted prime minister.

Conveniently, both PM Najib and his political party UMNO depend heavily on rural voters to make or break their existing power. He may hate it but Najib has no choice but to play ball lest he wishes to offend or insult the Malay dignity, Islam and Malay Rulers (*grin*), as opposition parties would most likely spin and twist.

 

Thirty years is a long time but given the present scandals stacked against PM Najib, the Monarchy is looking at a golden opportunity to redeem their dignity and reclaim their lost powers. In reality, people are sicked and tired of Najib’s arrogance and abuse of power that they wish the Malay Rulers could do something, anything, about it.

Of course, the fourth pillar Monarchy cannot expect the returns of their immunity, for obvious reason. Based on past cases, an absolute power such as immunity from any wrongdoings is very dangerous in a democracy society, what more when you have not one but nine rulers to be granted such power. However, the returns of veto power on proposed bills by Executive branch can easily be justified.

 

After multiple scandals pioneered by Najib and the castration of various agencies – Attorney General’s Chambers, Anti-Corruption, Central Bank and Police Force – the prime minister is invincible. And in order for US’ DOJ and FBI to look the other way, the prime minister is more than willing to bend over in the signing of TPPA, virtually making the country a colony of US.

The surrendering of sovereignty under TPPA, if it’s passed by the Parliament under Najib’s regime, is an example why the previous veto power entrusted with Monarchy should be restored. With veto, at least the Executive branch cannot pass any laws, whenever they like, and in the process sell the country to foreigners.

 

Therefore, if the monarchy can do the right thing at the right time, their effort would certainly be remembered and appreciated. By now, most lawmakers realize how serious the damage that Mahathir has done to the country – the creation of a prime ministership with absolute power. The system is so corrupt even the Mamak himself is having trouble repairing.

Surely people would not think twice about handling certain powers back to the Monarchy (and Judicial) if the goal is to restore the original system of checks and balances. No part of the government can become too powerful. But before the wishful thinking can be put on the table, the Malay rulers have to show they’re worth their salt.

 

But knowing him, strategically, the prime minister would most likely play dumb on the Council of Rulers’ latest decree. There’s little doubt that the Sultan of Johor plays a major role in the criticism against 1MDB scandal. Together with the rest of Malay rulers, what will they do next if PM Najib Razak continues to act as if there’s nothing happens?

Is there any concrete plan to force Najib to submit to an independent investigation, or will this be another hot air with little substance? Could the Malay rulers finally able to do what Mamak Mahathir fails to achieve – forcing PM Najib into retirement? Will there be a “Clash of the Titans” that would explode into a new Constitutional Crisis between Najib Razak and Malay Rulers?

 

Other Articles That May Interest You …

• TPPA – It’s A BAD Deal Unless It Benefits Working Class People
• Rahim Thamby Chik – A True Example Of Insulting Malays, Islam & Malay Kings
• If The US Really Wants To Put Najib On Trial, There’s No Escape
• Thanks, “Taichi Queen” Zeti – Now Everyone Can Do Money Laundering
• Cleared & Innocent!! Now The World Must Apologise To PM Najib
• Congrats Najib, You’ve Just Lost Johor & Inches From Fulfilling “RAHMAN” Prophecy
• What Can UMNO Do If The Kingdom Of Johor Declares Independence?
• UMNO vs Sultan – The Rush For Goldmine Johor Land

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October 7th, 2015 by financetwitter

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