Agong Warns Against Too Many Parties Factions

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The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has warned against political factionalism, be it by creating too many political parties or internal camps.
Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar cautioned that this would only cause divisions in the public.
“I would like to remind leaders and the community not to politicise sensitive issues, which will cause societal conflict and threaten national stability.
“The same goes when there are more political parties or camps within parties. It will cause the rakyat to be divided and hate one another.
“Use your brain before making decisions,” the king said in a speech at the Istana Negara in conjunction with his official birthday today.
Spreading ‘virus’
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong also raised the alarm on a “virus” that is now spreading in the country, referencing his remarks in 2023 that a virus of division had infected the nation.
His Majesty thus said that the best gift that the people can give him is to be a united society.
Sultan Ibrahim’s remarks came amid a backdrop of heightened factionalism in the key government party PKR.
A major split had occurred in the party in the lead-up to its internal polls, resulting in Rafizi Ramli being ousted as deputy president.
Rafizi has since tendered his resignation as economy minister. However, he has dismissed calls for him to set up his own party and said he would remain with PKR.
Previously, after the Sheraton Move in 2020, former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad formed Pejuang, and former Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman formed Muda.
ADSPejuang has not been in the political mainstream after it was completely wiped out in the 2022 general election, while Muda is struggling to gain a foothold on its own merit.
More recently, the Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP) - formed in 2019 - joined Perikatan Nasional in an effort to bolster the coalition's non-Malay support.
Former DAP leader P Ramasamy has also formed his own party Urimai - positioned as a third force. Urimai, however, has not yet received approval from the Registrar of Societies.
Don’t use public funds
His Majesty further cautioned politicians - whether ministers or MPs - against using public funds to get votes.
“Each expenditure must be tightly controlled and can’t be used willy-nilly by ministers or MPs to fish for votes to the point it causes government debt to swell,” the monarch said.
Civil servantsBesides politicians, Sultan Ibrahim also gave a stern reminder to civil servants to carry out their duties well and be guided by principles, not politicians.
He also told enforcement agents to carry out their duties with integrity.
“Don’t let the people lose their trust and respect for the uniform,” His Majesty said. - Mkini

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