Regent on government and role of ruler

Regent on government and role of ruler

18 March, 2008

KUALA KANGSAR: The Regent of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, has reminded newly-appointed Menteri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin of the need to understand the basis and role of the ruler in the formation of the government. He said as menteri besar, Nizar had become a member of Perak's Dewan Negara, and therefore had to be the effective bridge linking the people to the palace.

"The harmony in the relationship between the royalty and the goverment is one of the prerequisites to ensuring the stability of a government and the prosperity of a state."

Raja Nazrin had earlier welcomed and congratulated Nizar, who is the Pasir Panjang state assemblyman, during the opening of the state's Dewan Negara meeting at Istana Iskandariah yesterday.

"The royal institution is part of the history and system of government for this Malay heartland. It has remained relevant and has fulfilled an effective role through the years; during the colonial era, the Japanese occupation and through the pre- and post-independence period which finally chose the system of constitutional rulers and parliamentary democracy."

He said that in every phase of time, the royal institution had remained intact, being able to undergo the necessary changes in its function as the people's source of justice and stability.

"The honour of the royal institution must be upheld. All members of the Dewan Negara are a component of this royal institution. As such, the members should execute their role intelligently and with good manners so as to protect the good name of the royal institution.

"The ruler and the palace are the protectors of the culture and glory of the government. As such, the tradition and modesty of the palace should never be defiled," he said.

Raja Nazrin also conveyed the gratitude of Sultan Azlan Shah and the Dewan to former menteri besar Datuk Seri Mohd Tajol Rosli Ghazali for his contributions.

He said he was confident Tajol Rosli would continue to play a constructive and productive role for the prosperity of the state.