Malaysian King Concerned Over Rising Racial Tensions

Malaysian King Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin expressed concern Monday “over the tendency of certain quarters to raise sensitive and racial issues and politicise matters which they should not,” reports BNA.

The Malaysian News Agency (Bernama) reported Zainal Abidin on the fourth session of the 12th Parliament saying, ” I urge all quarters to uphold the rule of law and the constitution.”

According to BNA, the King said the sovereignty of the Malay Rulers, the position of Islam as the religion of the Federation, the special position of the Malays and natives of Sabah and Sarawak, and the legitimate rights of the other races encompassing citizenship and fundamental rights, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, should not be questioned so as to avert disunity.

Additionally, BNA noted that Zainal Abidin said that though Islam was the religion of the Federatoin, there was healthy practice of moderation in the country which enabled other religions to be practised in peace and harmony and these religious festival days were also recognised and regarded as public holidays.