KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysians should be free to express their views on the royal institution, especially when decisions made by the monarchy impact the nation, former chief justice Tun Zaki Azmi has said.
However, he emphasised that these views must not cross into disrespect for the royal institution.
“I think the royals are part of the government, and the public should be allowed to express their views in a way that doesn’t make them disrespect the royals.
“But if the royals do something wrong…or bad for the country, then I think it’s right for us as the public to be allowed to express our views.
“But not to the point of disrespecting the royals, that’s very important, (because) that’s where you are and (where) you (can) cross the line,” he said when he was a guest on the Scoop podcast, Trick Lama, which will be published later this month.
It was hosted by Big Boom Media Group Editor-in-Chief, Terence Fernandez, CEO Datuk Zainul Arifin and Group Executive Director, Datuk Ahirudin Attan.
Also present as a guest was former Federal Court Judge, Tan Sri James Foong Cheng Yuen.
Zaki also agreed that the royal institution should be protected but not to protect certain individuals.
“Yes, the royal institution must be protected, but there are times when something wrong is seen to be happening, which sometimes we don’t know whether the accusations or rumours are true or not, I don’t know.
“But the government and the royals, they shouldn’t be too sensitive that the people can’t say anything about them,” he said.
Earlier, he said this in response to views on the 3R issue (religion, race and royalty) which is often linked to certain issues including politics.
Zaki said, in the context of Malaysia, especially in addressing the 3R issue, the Sedition Act should be maintained.
“Prevention or prohibition is found in the Sedition Act, because we don’t want people to riot, maybe because of the issue (3R).
“Someone once asked me years ago, what do you think of the Sedition Act? My position remains the same to this day, the Sedition Act must be maintained.
“The question is, how do you enforce it? Don’t abuse it, that’s all, but it’s a good law, in the context of Malaysia, we need that law,” he said.
Meanwhile, James opined that 3R is a good propaganda exercise, reminding everyone not to cross the red line as it is a sensitive issue and one needs to be careful.
“But my view as a lawyer is don’t make laws when you can’t implement them, so when it comes to 3R, which law do you want to use to charge that person?
“Even if you use the Sedition Act as a tool (to charge), there are many provisions in the act and many elements that need to be met.
“If we look out there, there are many wise people, who can voice and fight for their rights to the fullest,” he said. — December 12, 2024