IN THE past, Pakatan Harapan leaders often had to tread carefully when it comes to dealing with issues pertaining the Malays and Islam.
More often than not, Pakatan parties, particularly the “communist” DAP, was often reminded not to disrespect the Rulers or risk angering the Malays.
During Pakatan’s reign, both UMNO and PAS constantly accused the former of trying to undermine the Malays and the monarchy, claiming only both parties can defend the institutions.
For instance, recall how PAS youth chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari had lodged police reports against cartoonist Fahmi Reza in April for creating a satire for allegedly insulting the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.
Well, we can only reminisce on the “good times” when UMNO and PAS were the only so-called “champions of the royal institution”.
But oh boy…how times have changed. PAS, the supposed defender of the royalty institution is now openly defying a decree issued by Selangor Ruler, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
It all started on Tuesday when Islamic Affairs Minister Datuk Idris Ahmad reminded Muslims to stay away from the Bon Odori festival, which has been celebrated in Malaysia for nearly 30 years, alleging that the celebration is “influenced by elements of other religions”.
The PAS leader alleged that based on a study conducted by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), the festival contained rituals of other religions.
However, the statement clearly upset the Selangor monarch who then decreed for the Bon Odori festival to continue as scheduled on July 16, at the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA).
His Majesty also decreed for the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS), the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) and Idris to attend the festival to learn the difference between culture and religion.
However, probably with power getting over their heads, PAS decided to openly go against the Ruler’s decree.
Fadhli started the ball rolling by saying that one should respect muftis for their knowledge in religion and there was no need for them to go anywhere to decide whether something is permissible or not.
Later, its ulama wing chief Datuk Ahmad Yahya urged Muslims to not attend Bon Odori festival, despite the Ruler’s decree.
He went further, claiming the argument that the festival was strictly a cultural event did not have any merit. Mind you, the view was expressed by the Sultan himself!
And yesterday, Selangor PAS commissioner Datuk Ahmad Yunus Hairi said the state government needs to assert its authority regarding the involvement of Muslims in the festival and penalise any employers who compel their Muslim workers to get involved in the festival.
If these arguments by the PAS leaders are not considered as defying the Ruler’s decree, then I don’t know what is.
Not the first time
For the uninitiated, this is not the first time PAS had overstepped the Malay Rulers’ authority over residual powers granted to Their Majesties under the Federal Constitution and their respective state constitutions.
In December 2020, several Perak PAS state assemblymen decided against meeting Perak Ruler Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah despite being summoned by the Palace, claiming they did not receive the green light from party president, Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.
For that insolence, the three of them – Razman Zakaria (Gunong Semanggol); Mohd Akmal Kamaruddin (Selama) dan Khalil Yahaya (Kubu Gajah) – were denied state exco posts until they apologised.
And who can forget the royal rebuke PAS secretary general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan received from none other than Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Almarhum Sultan Ahmad Shah.
In July last year, the then-law minister shocked MPs when he said that the Government had revoked the Emergency Ordinances (EO), prompting the MPs to question whether the Istana Negara had consented to it.
Sultan Abdullah, in a rare move, promptly rebuked Takiyuddin and Attorney-General Tan Sri Idrus Harun for misleading the Parliament, adding he has yet to grant royal assent to the revocation.
The incident triggered the collapse of then-prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration after 12 UMNO MPs withdrew support from his Government.
In a nutshell, many are starting to see what PAS is really all about: a power-crazed political party that has no qualms about doing anything just to assert control over what the population should and should not do.
One must understand that based on state constitutions, the nine Sultans are the heads of Islam and Malay customs in their respective states. In making decisions over the matter, Their Majesties are advised by their religious departments.
As for the states with no monarch, the Federal Constitution provides for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to assume the role of head of Islam there.
UMNO’s elegant silence
Hence, Sultan Sharafuddin had acted according to authority vested in His Majesty by the Selangor constitution as the Bon Odori festival is taking place in his state.
And for PAS to continue issuing advisory for Muslims not to attend the festival despite the Ruler stating otherwise, it is not only an act of defiance against the monarchy but also a breach of the law.
While we are on the subject, did anyone notice how quiet PAS’ estranged partner under the Muafakat Nasional (Muafakat) charter, UMNO is?
And I can only deduce two things from the nationalist party’s silence. One is that they refuse to get involved in PAS’ disrespect for the Ruler. Plus, I guess it is also foolish to offend the Japanese and their festival, given that the third largest economy of the world is a top trading partner to Malaysia.
The second reason, in my view, is politically insidious. Given that UMNO no longer needs PAS for political mileage, I guess the nationalist party is just giving the Islamist party enough rope for it to hang itself.
In any case, I do wonder what the police are going to do about this, given that the establishment is rarely forgiving when it comes to disrespecting the Malay Rulers. – June 11, 2022
