Ampu Bodek Sultan

Now this is so embarrassing one is almost reluctant to talk about it. Over the weekend, a bunch of self-proclaimed royalists gathered at the Ipoh Padang to demonstrate against the DAP.

According to news reports, this bunch of illegal demonstrators wanted to ‘pledge their support for Sultan Azlan Shah and his choice for the new Mentri Besar.’

The rabble-rousers’ spokesman – one Mior Azman Mior Aris – told reporters, ‘We demand Lim Kit Siang apologize directly to the palace and the people of Perak, and not through the Internet or email.’

He said, ‘We are not enemies of any race or group but this is our royal institution which we have long revered. We demand an apology.’

‘Our’ royal institution?

Newsflash, Mior Azman: Sultan Azlan Shah is the sultan for ALL the peoples of Perak; Malay, Chinese, Indian, Orang Asli. He doesn’t belong to you. He isn’t YOUR royal institution. He is the monarch of ALL THE PEOPLES OF PERAK.

Talk about a revolting case of ‘ampu bodek.’

It is almost as if this group of people are unaware of the results of the general elections; unaware Malaysians are sick and tired of race politics, unaware such narrow-minded chauvinism has just been given a swift kick on its backside; unaware this is the year 2008.

If Lim Kit Siang has offended anyone, it is HIS OWN SULTAN, since he is also MP for Ipoh Timur, representing the voice of a segment of Perakians who are directly under the protective covering of Sultan Azlan.

Every right-minded citizen of Perak should denounce this oafish ‘ampu bodek’ nonsense. What right has Mior Azman and his bunch of law-breaking friends to tell Sultan Azlan that he is Ruler only of the Malays of Perak but not the Chinese, the Indians and the Orang Asli? What right have they to exclude the non-Malays of Perak from enjoying the protective covering of the Ruler? What right have they to fan the anger of the Ruler against a certain segment of his subjects in this racist manner? Is it not treason of the highest order if a subject manipulates to subvert the just and fair dominion of his Ruler?

Who is Mior Azman to demand an apology when the Ruler himself has not spoken? If Sultan Azlan choses to be gracious and forgive Lim Kit Siang, who is Mior Azman to appoint himself a ‘batu api’ to poke fire? Is Mior Azman and his friends the official palace spokesmen now? Let them show their letters of appointment. Otherwise, they are mere mischief-makers and ought to be treated as such.