Sultan Ibrahim leading the Kembara Mahkota Johor 2019 convoy with his Flintstones-inspired design Harley-Davidson 2019 Road King Special touring bike in Paloh. Prof Sivamurugan proposed that the Kembara Mahkota Johor programme could be expanded into a Kembara Tanahair DiRaja initiative. This would provide people the opportunity to directly share their concerns with the King, just as His Majesty had done in Johor. — Photo courtesy of the Johor Royal Press Office
AS the Head of State, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, represents all Malaysians regardless of ethnicity, faith or cultural background.
According to socio-political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi, His Majesty can endorse laws that promote equality and inclusivity, thereby influencing policies that prioritise national harmony.
Awang Azman: ‘His Majesty can endorse laws that promote equality and inclusivity, thereby influencing policies that prioritise national harmony.’
“Moreover, His Majesty advocates for policies and programmes that uphold our nation’s interests, emphasising unity and integration. As a symbol of unity, his presence at national events and ceremonies is a reminder of the shared identity and values of all Malaysians.
“Through speeches and public statements, His Majesty calls for unity and mutual respect, and addresses issues that can cause racial or religious tension,” the Universiti Malaya expert said when contacted.
Awang Azman said His Majesty actively participates in cultural festivals of different ethnic groups, showcasing the respect for Malaysia’s diverse heritage.
He said this fosters a sense of belonging among all communities, which can be done through His Majesty’s Kembara Mahkota Johor programme.
“Through the programme, His Majesty meets people from all walks of life and backgrounds, fostering a direct connection between the monarchy and the rakyat (citizens), which promotes unity and understanding.
“Expanding the Kembara Mahkota Johor nationwide could significantly strengthen national integration by engaging directly with the citizens, bringing closer connections between people.
“It can effectively demonstrate the monarchy’s commitment to all Malaysians and foster inclusiveness across different states,” he added.
Sharing a similar sentiment to Awang Azman, political scientist Prof Datuk Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said the Kembara Mahkota Johor should be expanded to Kembara Tanahair DiRaja.
This would meet the interests of various ethnic groups across the nation, where the people would have the opportunity to share and address their concerns directly to His Majesty as was done in Johor.
Sultan Ibrahim and Raja Zarith Sofiah Queen gracing the opening of the First Meeting of the Third Session of the 15th Parliament at Dewan Rakyat on Feb 26. — Photo from Sultan Ibrahim’s official Facebook page
“Being a rakyat-centric King, accompanied by Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, the Queen of Malaysia, who is also close to the rakyat, will allow the public to share their concerns with the royals,” said Prof Sivamurugan of Universiti Sains Malaysia.
He added that as the head of the nation, any statement issued by Sultan Ibrahim is not merely a statement or wish, but a framework to be translated into a better delivery system and continuous monitoring of existing policies.
“For example, when His Majesty said ‘promote unity, not division’ when he granted an audience to senior politicians from Umno and the DAP on the controversial socks that were found in KK Mart, His Majesty’s intention was focused on the sensitivity related to religious and race issues.
“In his royal address at the first meeting of the third session of the 15th Parliament, His Majesty suggested formulating new policies to strengthen unity and harmony,” he added.
Awang Azman said as the nation’s Ruler, the presence of Sultan Ibrahim during national events such as Merdeka Day and Malaysia Day is also important as it is a unifying symbol for all Malaysians.
“Sultan Ibrahim’s involvement with numerous charity events and social programmes cut across ethnic and religious lines, providing aid and support to underprivileged communities, reinforcing the sense of shared humanity and solidarity,” he said.
Awang Azman said that by supporting initiatives that preserve cultural traditions, His Majesty strengthens the nation’s rich cultural tapestry.
“By encouraging and participating in interfaith dialogues, His Majesty can promote understanding and cooperation among Malaysia’s various religious groups.
“This can be further strengthened by providing support to religious institutions from all faiths to reinforce the principle of religious freedom and harmony,” he added.
Sivamurugan said the King has a strict nature, especially towards those who use 3R (race, religion, royalty) issues for political gain.
“His Majesty, who frequently graces diverse festive celebrations, indicates that his personality is an important catalyst in strengthening unity in multi- ethnic Malaysia.
“His Majesty emphasised that the interests of the 33 million people in the country should take priority over those of 222 politicians (MPs).
“This is to promote respect, tolerance and understanding among the people rather than focusing on slander, hatred and division,” he added.
Among the contemporary challenges to national unity are economic inequalities between ethnic groups and cultural differences, Awang Azman said.
This could be remedied should the King advocate for policies that address economic disparities and promote equitable development, ensuring no community is marginalised.
His Majesty can also promote educational initiatives that emphasise multicultural understanding and national unity to help bridge ethnic divides, Awang Azman added.
“Social media influence is also a major issue where misinformation runs rampant and easily causes strife and division. This is evident in how certain parties manipulate issues related to 3R, impacting national unity.
“His Majesty should also promote respectful dialogue among Malaysians and encourage critical engagement with online content by advocating for responsible usage of social media and the dissemination of accurate information.
“The King should work to diminish political ethno-nationalism and bolster federalism through education and raising awareness,” he added.
