‘Malaysia’s new King, Sultan Ibrahim’s vow to fight graft, will benefit the nation’
Senior lawyer Datuk Seri Dr Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos says Malaysia’s new Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, who has vowed to hunt down the corrupt, will herald a new era for the country.
Sultan Ibrahim of Johor took the oath of office as Malaysia’s 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong at Istana Negara today. He replaces Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, who ended his reign as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, yesterday.
“Sultan Ibrahim will speak out without fear or favour. The people are tired of politicians who use them as pawns for political gains. Sultan Ibrahim will not stand for such nonsense,” said Jahaberdeen.
Jahaberdeen said the king could help raise the bar further for the royal institution following the reign of Al-Sultan Abdullah, who ascended the throne at a time of political turmoil, and the Covid-19 pandemic.
He added that the new king’s views fit nicely with the ‘Madani’ concept under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“The Madani government’s tough stand on the ‘3Rs’ – race, religion and royalty – and its call for unity, are something Sultan Ibrahim is well-known for,” said Jahaberdeen.
“Although a staunch protector of Islam, His Majesty is also wary of extremists who use race and religion to further their agenda.”
Jahaberdeen said Sultan Ibrahim had also pushed for the ‘Bangsa Johor’ concept of inclusivity to show that he was a ruler of the people – regardless of race, creed, or colour – in the state.
“We can expect a new Malaysia with common values under the new Agong,” said Jahaberdeen.
“I hope Sultan Ibrahim can bring the beauty of ‘Bangsa Johor’ to ‘Bangsa Malaysia’, as we need a united front for the country to progress.”
Meanwhile, political analyst Associate Professor Dr Azeem Fazwan Ahmad Farouk said that as a constitutional monarch, Sultan Ibrahim’s hands are tied by what he can, and cannot do.
“While I expect Sultan Ibrahim to be firm when dealing with errant politicians, our king must be above politics,” said Azeem, director of the Centre for Policy Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia.
“Whatever decisions he makes must be seen as impartial, and not siding with any party.
“The duties and responsibilities of the royal institution are well-documented. I am confident His Majesty’s decisions will be for the benefit of the people.”
Azeem acknowledged that Sultan Ibrahim may do things differently from Al-Sultan Abdullah, but said that would not be an issue.
“Everyone has different personalities, and Sultan Ibrahim will have his way of doing things,” said Azeem.
“Sultan Ibrahim can build on that new-found trust in the royal institution by bringing about a more harmonious Malaysia.”
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