‘If We Can Change the Ruler Every Month, the Monarchy System Will Fail’ – Anwar

MELAKA: Malay Rulers cannot be treated as though they can be replaced according to political interests, as the position of the institution is governed by the Constitution and the law.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said those who had previously been vocal in defending the institution of the Malay Rulers should not question or reject a Ruler’s position when a decision does not align with their interests.

“In Negeri Sembilan, those who keep shouting ‘Malay Rulers, Malay Rulers, Malay Rulers’, but when a decision does not suit them, they want to remove that Malay Ruler. I cannot accept that.

“We must follow the Constitution and the law. If we can change the Ruler every month, the monarchy system will fail.

“That is why the Federal Government firmly maintains that the current Ruler (Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan) is legitimate, and any process to replace the Ruler must be carried out in accordance with what is stipulated in the Constitution and the law,” he said when officiating the 2026 Chinese Cultural Night in Kota Laksamana here tonight.

He said the position of a Ruler must be respected based on the processes stipulated in the Constitution and the law, including in determining the legitimacy of the person holding the position.

Anwar said the situation would become less stable if the institution of the Rulers was turned into a political issue or if attempts were made to influence a Ruler to make decisions according to the wishes of certain parties.

“It appears less stable because there are politicians who want to turn it into an issue. They want the Ruler to follow them.

“The Ruler must follow the Constitution. The Ruler should not follow politicians, or the state will be ruined,” he said.

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