I’ve read the reports as well, that the Agong has expressed regret at the rally of the rakyat at his palace on Saturday.
This blog and several others are being peppered with comments expressing disappointment with His Majesty.
People, please keep the faith.
Do not be so quick to forget the refusal to extend the term of Fairuz.
Do not be so quick to forget the refusal to appoint the nominees for the number 2 and 3 in the judiciary.
Please read RPK’s latest post entitled ‘What the eye does not see’ under Corridors of Power.
Taking RPK’s latest post to be reliable, now is when His Majesty must know that we, the rakyat, will be unwaveringly behind him.
Now is the time for solidarity between all in civil society who desire change for the better in this country with a monarch who, until now, has shown a willingness to act in our interest.
I will not accept that my monarch has discarded our petition and our memorandum until I hear and see His Majesty do so with my own eyes and ears.
Daulat Tuanku! Daulat Tuanku! Daulat Tuanku!
Beh Sai Kong
November 16, 2007
We have come this far together. Don’t lose faith or heart. We go on. The powers that be have lots of tricks up their sleeves. They are masters of deception. While the professionals like David Copperfield do it for their livelihood and family entertainment, the thieves who run our country are playing with people’s rights, taxes and trust. Let us call their bluff and show them that we would not be so easily fooled. They are trying to push us and keep us back. We go forward.
koolgeek
November 16, 2007
Why not another Hartal?
Reniv
November 16, 2007
In a democracy monarch …The Agong is not the king, the people is the KING. The ballot boxes & the votes are the power. If you just understand this sentence i don’t need to say more.
AAdlina
November 16, 2007
I just finished reading RPK’s post. Indeed, I had my doubts when it was not the Keeper of the Royal Seal who released the statements. Thank goodness we have someone ‘from the inside’ to clear the air.
Daulat Tuanku! Daulat Tuanku! Daulat Tuanku!
SK
November 16, 2007
Daulat Tuanku! Daulat Tuanku! Daulat Tuanku!
Dan-yel
November 16, 2007
Hey Haris,
Take heart. Given the circumstances, I do not doubt the King had issued that statement. And on the contrary, I’m relieved of what he said. Oh my God, he’s a very smart King.
For a fact, he’s a constitutional monarch and to expect him to turn against the PM would be a constitutional “suicide”. He must have remembered of the Australian 1975 Constitutional crisis (check wikipedia).
By the way, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin (this is the first time I got an Agong’s name right by heart
)is in a very different position from that the Thai King enjoys. He did not have the same popularity, and the publicity as members of the Executive government. Much less is his influence on the Rakyat, notwithstanding his position as the DYMM. I’m sure there’s a lot of gullible “democrats” out here who are ready to rally behind the Abdullah and “condemn” His Majesty one way or another. Oh ya, notice that he did not expressly CONDEMN the rally, he merely stated his neutrality. That effectively means, “Go on, do your thing. Shh… I wish you best!” with a wink.
So, I see, on the contrary, lots of hope. Daulat Tuanku!
See Nuraina’s take;http://nursamad.blogspot.com/2007/11/titah-tuanku.html
Yap
November 16, 2007
The use of force was only confined to the Masjid Jamek area and localised and thereafter no more force being used. Obviously there was an AUTHORITY that has halted the use of force.
Liu Zhen-bao
November 16, 2007
I read a similar article in Susan Sloone’s blog, and wrote the following.
“Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abdidin today stressed that neither he nor Istana Negara had indirectly or directly supported the massive rally held over the weekend in Kuala Lumpur.”
This statement serves to state categorically the ABSOLUTE NEUTRALITY of the Agong concerning the massive rally. This is a WISE statement from the Agong. I say a wise and royal move of strategic importance. The anti-monarchy UMNO dogs will have no reason to accuse the Agong later on. The Agong has wisely covered his back in his first move.
The Agong’s neutrality concerning the rally itself is NOT necessarily the rejection of the ISSUES involved of the Bersih rally, NOR is it the same as his neutrality concerning the issues submitted to him in the memorandum.
“Tuanku Mizan said as the country’s supreme leader, it is incumbent upon him to ensure that the administration of the country as enshrined in the Federal Constitution is adhered to by all.”
Did any of you give STRATEGIC and LOADED statement some careful thought?
Don’t you think this statement from the Agong should give the Bersihans some real encouragement for their cause? Isn’t the demand of Bersih basically the restoration of the Rule of Law as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, which has been hijacked by Buruk Najis, and which is to be adhered to by ALL, even the administration of the day?
I think this statement should send shivers down the spine of those who have hijacked the Federal Constitution for their own narrow political ends. Can you imagine what would happen if the truth of the Agong’s statement is implemented, when the Agong demand that the Federal Constitution be ADHERED to.
According to the Constitution, the Agong – the SUPREME LEADER (do you notice these term?) has power to do a lot of things. He is ain’t no puppet! He is the Supreme Leader – something that the UMNO dogs have belittled and mocked. Let the UMNO dogs gloat over what the Agong has said for now.
Be strong, and have courage. The God of heaven will not abandon those who fight for justice and righteusness.
I believe the present Agong has acted very wisely, and strategically, in issuing those statements – THEY ARE DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD. One edge to slay the wicked, the other to protect the weak.
Helen Ang
November 16, 2007
In ancient Greek drama, there was a plot device called ‘deus ex machina’, literally meaning that God is lowered in a machine (stage machinery) to save the day. A contemporary rendition is “A person or event that provides a sudden and unexpected solution to a difficulty.”
Personally, I don’t believe in any one saviour riding out to rescue us from our political doldrums. We clearly have to save ourselves.
However, I did put my name to the ‘Save the Judiciary’ petition & supported the Bersih rally.
Remember that the second precept of the Rukunegara is Loyalty to King & Country.
Let’s look at our (read: civil society) half of the picture. The petition was directed to the Agong. The ten-11 walk was compassed to the palace. So the Agong successfully served as a rallying point.
Please bear in mind also that the Agong as head of Islam in this country does command the respect of the religious majority (note that PAS formed the backbone of the yellow wave) and the idea of appealing to the monarch had managed to galvanise the rakyat.
For me, both petition and rally were seminal events in getting people to come together and to cohere in a concerted action. That in itself is a mental breakthrough. So let’s credit the Agong’s ‘indirect’ role in this, i.e. as recipient of both petitions.
And persevere. We’ve build a momentum and showed up plenty of hypocrisies (like media spin & the Abdullah-SiL Adminstration’s spinier response & police role & raised political awareness, etc, & I’ll be writing something more from Bersih’s secretariat later)
However one chooses to interpret the statement from the palace, nothing will detract from the fact that Saturday’s walk was a resounding success. We’ve all been on a high. This ‘news’ should not be a damper to our spirit.
bayi
November 17, 2007
I have absolute faith in my Agung.
Daulat Tuanku!
Reniv
November 17, 2007
Congratulation! We got what we ask for, Royal Commission. i believe there was a trade off, the nation can’t be seen as if the Royal having a tiff with the PM, absolutely not, it will hurt the nation as well the rakyat, so i believe a deal have been struck that’s why there is an announcement by the Agong then the PM. Another milestone reached! YAY!
Moses Foo
November 17, 2007
For a moment there I thought everything was a waste. Susan Loone was my breaking news and was she bitter. Yeah, it was disappointing. I suppose that is how this “nila” is hell-bent in destroying this pot of “milk”. Just a little, innocent, harmless piece of news. Well, we need to be ever more vigilant and ever distrustful of information that is contrarian and seek to destroy our aspiration. This time they have gone too far and by jove, just they see what’ll await them when the time comes. Just wait and see.
Haris, I wrote once that we need each strength and support for this ardous journey, and this is where it comes in handy, especially with people like RPK with experience and knowledge to help us along. Tun Salleh had also remarked that the redemption (my impression) of the judiciary can take ten, twenty, or maybe a hundred years. Can we wait that long? Can we let the fire boiled our apathy to our destruction?
Ben
November 17, 2007
Yes, Haris I can validate that there indeed was a convoy of armoured transporters like humvees speeding in the opposite direction near Nilai as we were KL bound. Check the sms I sent you when I saw it. It was an unusual sight and after reading M2day I had realized that it was a counter measure against oppression on the rakyat. Daulat Tuanku! Daulat Tuanku! Daulat Tuanku!
Yes, Ben, I remember your sms.
In fact, I got a similar sms that day about 14 armoured vehicles heading towards KL from somewhere else.
I figured that His Majesty was working his thingamagic somewhere and if he wanted to work the matter quietly, then quietly it should be.
carboncopy
November 17, 2007
Daulat Tuanku!
Yes, we the rakyat must stand behind the Agong.
toyolbuster
November 17, 2007
If you believe in Bernama’s story, you would believe that pigs can fly. Well guys, congrats., you’ve been SPUN
Birdseye
November 17, 2007
It is great fun to read RPK’s ranting, if you can spare the time. There is a wicked dilemma in this story about the Datuk Pengelola Bijaya Diraja.
Well, if you believe RPK’s ‘ inside view’, and he does have royal blood, then you must also believe that an official planted by the government can put words into the mouth of the sovereign in front of the whole world, at will. Surely no King will stand for this, unless Malaysian Kings are a very forgiving lot indeed and such dastardly acts by palace officials will go unpunished. I don’t think a mere official is so daring like our traffic cops. So, I’ll take this story with a lot of salt.
If one does not believe RPK, does that mean the Agong is really unhappy about the antics of the organizers of the Wet March, etc, etc? I do not think so. Lately, a few of the Royals have let their feelings be known about certain affairs of state. People love that. Let it be that way. It shows they are not blind to what is happening in this country and they have some advice for the government.
I really do not expect to read headlines like “The Agong Orders a royal commission” after the receipt of 5036 signatures or “The Agong orders revamp of the election rules” after the Wet March on 10-11. That’s way too unrealistic. I will be delighted to be proven wrong. Alas, I do not see the government passing on this opportunity to show the people, and the Royals, just who is in charge of the affairs of state. The government cannot afford to be seen to bow under pressure from the King. But the government can still lose, but it must be done at the ballot box. 10-11 may well be the catalyst this country is looking for. We must build on that and I hope the message to the rakyat is that there is no need for signature drives or marches to the palace. Let’s not put the royals between a rock and a hard place.
carboncopy
November 17, 2007
The government of the day have committed treason.
khairil z
November 17, 2007
If so, what His Majesty will do next? Should we send another memo to the Palace?
Melvin
November 17, 2007
Bro Haris,
The government has been on the losing end recently and they are trying to put another “losing of hope” effort on the people in another attempt to mislead the public.
You can be sure that the government is akin to Skynet, fearing losing the game between humans and machines, err…now government vs the people will try to do anything to win back the support, which includes dirty tricks of course.
They will try again…and again…
shar101
November 17, 2007
Gee, and I thought it was 138,000 who turned up for 10-Eleven.
So did I, with no regrets whatsoever.
Didn’t get to see the Agong though and I’m certain he knew how many of us were there at his front gate.
Memorandum was delivered. The rakyat’s part is done.
Will the gesture be received with grace and decorum befitting a democratic nation with its rich cultural and religious diversity?
*Chambermaid, male or female, need not apply*
aimi
November 17, 2007
Thanks uncle Sam. We’ll keep the faith.
Avtaran
November 17, 2007
Now is the time for engagement with the government. The Royal Commission to investigate the Lingam tape has been announced. Now is the time for the People’s Parliament to go see its MPs’ and push for change.
The announcement of the commission, is not the time to say ‘ we told you so’. We need to rise above that mentality and say ‘ good, what about other improvements to the system, let’s talk’.
Off course for many people getting together and discussing and seeing the MP is a lame event. Compared to rallys and water cannons. But this is the solution to bring about meaningful change.
There is no game plan as far as I know on what is it the masses want when they march. There is no confirmed agenda except ‘We dislike the government’. So, all who have grouses, bothe real and imagined, walk together. What next?
We must be willing to work hard in bringing abouit change within ourselves and than others. “shouting slogans and posturing” ain’t going to get us far.
Building on momentum is the way forward. Now is the time for rapid engagement of our MPs’. let us not waste the oppurtunity.
John Tan
November 17, 2007
Please copy an extract from RPK’s posting an email to all your freinds with instructions to forward to everyone. Without this alternative explanation, the majority of Malaysians will assume the version in the papers is the truth.
Satya
November 17, 2007
I think the whole “Agong expresses regret” article was just another government ploy using the MSM to try and put down the people who rallied on 10-11. They’re exerting themselves to make it look like it was no big deal, like it was a failure. Those who know better shouldn’t be affected by this. Also, go see Rocky’s take on the whole thing:
http://rockybru.blogspot.com/2007/11/politics-of-palace.html
shiver
November 17, 2007
dear harris,
i already sent out RPK’s posting on email and all my social network websites.
however, the Barang Naik gomen repeated the allegations from the morning news yesterday to the prime time news! and today, all the MSM reported it.
take heed fellow malaysians. even if the agong hands are tied, we still have each other! remember there was 40000 of us that fateful day, and there will be more in the future. WE ARE NOT ALONE! Daulat Tuanku!!!
farida
November 17, 2007
Keep the faith, folks.
If you believe in the Agong, as I do, you will not budge from the position of loyalty towards him and trusting that he knows what he is doing. He is not obliged to do it our way but he is obliged as our king to uphold justice, the tenets of the Constitution, etc.
Our king has his role to play and so do we, the rakyat. If we are going to waver so easily just because of a news item that needs further scrunity and verification, it doesn’t say much about our maturity, faith and convictions, does it?
We know the games being played by government. They want us to feel let down by the Agong. They want us to voice discontent, they want to break our cheerful spirit, they want us to cry ‘foul’ and trap us with the language we use regarding this issue, and then they will shout treason and tell the king that these are the Bersih people turning against him.
People, don’t be fooled.
If that news item is true, I will still honour and respect my Agong. Why?
Because I believe he will do what is right and honourable for this nation.
Because he does not need to trumpet his good deeds.
Because I have, I think, a wise monarch who knows when to act.
Because I, anak Bangsa Malaysia, must show my king how serious I am about wanting change and that nothing is going to derail the efforts to bring that about. Not a news item, not the force and cunning of the enemy within, not the lies in the mainstream media.
May God guide our king to lead always with excellence and a pure heart.
Daulat Tuanku.
mary kate
November 17, 2007
Before reading RPK’s comment, I was sure that our KING was under duress or pressure.
After reading the article, I BELIEVE IN MY KING.
Daulat Tuanku!
Daulat Tuanku!
Daulat Tuanku!
drsaravananr
November 17, 2007
Haris,
Just read RPK’s post and even if it wasn’t true as how some argue, it was done with good intention of keeping the people’s faith. Birdseye made some good remarks as well. I for one am definitely saying “Damn These Manipulative Politicians!”. It is a game of The People vs The Politicians, and the current score is 1-1. The judiciary rot gets a royal commission but the EC gets away. This, for the rakyat, only marks the end of the begining (and not the begining of the end!). It is now that we, the rakyat must remain united and focused on the Finish Line and not on the obstacles thrown our way. We need to march on. We need us. We don’t need them (the politicians). Keep the faith. We can see that things are starting to move now and we need to keep it that way.Newton’s Law of Motion is not science fiction (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newton's_laws_of_motion#Newton.27s_first_law:_law_of_inertia).I was initially a little disappointed with the Kings statement yesterday too. I felt he just endorsed whatever stupid! stupid! stupid! said on Al Jazeera the other day. But after a good night sleep, i woke up with a better perspective today. It’s still yellow Saturday for me!
Cheers
zorro
November 17, 2007
I quote from my previous posting:
If it is not possible for Your Majesty to come
can you ask your army to escort us in our walk to see you?
I believe in my king rather than the chamber-maid.
DAULAT TUANKU, DAULAT TUANKU, DAULAT TUANKU.
Paul Warren
November 17, 2007
That silly guy who made the announcement on behalf of the King has shit sticking to his ass and snot dropping off his nose. HE is an UMNO man!!
Sharing
November 19, 2007
Should it be the Focus!
=======================
Where can all the grievances gone?
Where have all the wisdoms gone?
The Rally had started
because grievances were stuck.
Rulers should have wisdoms
to run Agong’s kingdom
on people’s freedom
but they messed up all the rhythms!
Is Agony the one to open the door
for grievance to be heard?
Or, only a sign of hope
to remind the rulers they better note?
Or sighs to tell the world that
nothing can be cooked
unless independent EC can be booked?
Declaring the “hope” broke
what the world will look?
People know well answer from PM is what they look!
May be People overlook
only those with wisdoms can uncoded!
So Right answer from someone Right
still not arrived!
Or, football in the night
without light!
Is abstention a light
on area where no candidate is alright?
But one must be sure what number could arrive
So help the STATISTIC here with wise!
A e-poll to give it a try?