KEDAH ruler Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah expressed hopes that discussions concerning Kedah’s history, particularly the lease of Penang, would be deliberated based on facts and without prejudice rather than abruptly impeded.
Sultan Sallehuddin said it would be unfair for the voice of the people in Kedah to be silenced, particularly on matters pertaining to history and the sovereignty of the state.
“The formation of Malaysia did not act as the turning point which permitted the state history which had existed for so long to be erased,” he decreed during an investiture ceremony held in conjunction with his 81st birthday celebration at Istana Anak Bukit in his royal address yesterday (June 18).
“Lately, discussions on the Kedah history are getting traction across all platforms. The people from all walks of life are taking part in the discourses on Kedah history especially on the status of Kedah and Penang.
“In my opinion, this is a healthy development. I wish that the interest among the people to dwell into the true history of Kedah and Penang will not be abruptly impeded.”
However, he said the discourse must be based on legitimate and actual facts and that it would be better if the facts be studied in a proper and well organised manner so that they can be used as a point of reference and benefits the future generation.
“This is because history is the most important source of wisdom in teaching us the art of statecraft,” he added.
Sultan Sallehuddin went on quoting an advice by former British prime minister Sir Winston Churchill, the former British prime minister: “Study History. In history lies all the secrets of statecraft.”
“Sir Winston Churchill in his speech in the House of Commons, the United Kingdom in 1948 reminded that those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it,” he said.
Sultan Sallehuddin added that history cannot be separated from one nation’s civilisation, let alone Kedah, which has a very rich history spanning back centuries.
“During the journey of civilisation from one era to another, we witnessed Kedah going through various events of war, friendship, negotiations and agreements being signed.”
Sultan Sallehuddin said as a result of the series of history and the result of the agreement of the states, the Federation of Malaya, now known as Malaysia, was established.
“To govern Malaysia, a government at the central level which is the Federal Government was established with the existing governments at the state level maintained,” he added.
“The power enjoyed by the Federal Government today is the result of the grants given by the states through the Federation Agreement of Malaya signed on August 5, 1957.” – June 19, 2023
Main pic credit: Bernama
