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P 211038Z OCT 08
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 KUALA LUMPUR 000929 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR EAP/MTS AND INR 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/21/2018 
TAGS: PGOV PINR KDEM PJUS MY
SUBJECT: MALAY RULERS REASSERT CONSTITUTIONAL ROLE IN 
UNPRECEDENTED STATEMENT 
 
Classified By: Political Counselor Mark D. Clark for reasons 1.4 b and 
d. 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1. (SBU) Malaysia's nine Malay monarchs, who form a 
collective called the Council of Rulers, released an 
unprecedented special statement on October 16 reaffirming 
their fundamental constitutional role and defending key 
provisions in the federal constitution regarding ethnic Malay 
interests, as well as minority rights.  The broad statement 
touched off competing public interpretations by different 
political actors.  Conservative voices in the ruling UMNO 
party broadcast the statement as a "warning" to those 
challenging the status quo, while Opposition leaders 
interpreted the Rulers' words as a warning to UMNO not to 
abuse racial sentiments for political gain.  The Council of 
Rulers also reportedly affirmed the appointment of UMNO 
former legal counsel as Malaysia's next Chief Justice, 
raising some question about the future of judicial reform. 
 
¶2. (C) Comment:  The Council of Rulers' October 16 statement 
is unprecedented in modern Malaysia, according to local 
historians.  Recent events such as race-based turmoil among 
UMNO and its Chinese coalition partners, the seemingly 
reckless use of the ISA, and most recently the ban of the 
Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) have raised concerns over 
ethnic harmony in Malaysia.  The Rulers, normally an 
apolitical grouping, have chosen this juncture to reassert 
their role as guarantors of Malaysia's inter-ethnic political 
compromise represented by the constitution.  The monarchs' 
statement appears to be intended to cool racial rhetoric and 
dampen inter-ethnic tensions, while reaffirming their own 
constitutional prerogative.  Beyond this, however, it is not 
clear that the Rulers have weighed in to the benefit of UMNO 
or any other political party.  All sides have pocketed the 
Royal remarks for their own diverse purposes and moved on, 
while the monarchs themselves have remained silent on these 
contradictory interpretations.  It is also not clear to us 
what the Council's statement portends for the Rulers' future 
activism in constitutional matters.  Summary and Comment. 
 
Malay Rulers Reiterate Constitutional Role 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶3. (SBU) Malaysia's nine Malay Rulers, who have traditionally 
been apolitical, released an unprecedented special statement 
on October 16 reiterating their constitutional role and 
defending other key provisions in the Federal Constitution. 
In the broadly worded statement, the Malay Rulers explained 
their constitutional role "to safeguard the special 
privileges, position, eminence and greatness of the Malay 
Rulers, safeguard Islam, Malay as the National Language, and 
the genuine interests of the other communities in 
Malaysia..."  They stressed that "this agenda is more 
important and foremost than political or factional 
interests."  The rulers pointed out that of late several 
quarters who have "a cursory knowledge" of the background of 
the constitution have disputed and questioned these 
provisions, which they described as the "Social Contract" 
that "formed the primary basis for the formation of Malaysia 
and are enshrined in the Federal Constitution."  This has 
resulted in dissatisfaction and anger among Malay leaders, 
NGOs and individuals and those who take advantage of these 
issues for their "own narrow political interests."  The 
rulers warned "Unless this phenomenon is arrested 
immediately, it can lead to disunity and racial strife that 
can undermine the peace and harmony which has all this while 
brought progress, development and success to the nation." 
Therefore, the rulers felt it was not proper to dispute, 
question, review, test, change or challenge issues related to 
the Social Contract. 
 
¶4. (U) The Malay monarchs' statement also reminded the people 
that the rulers played a role in the independence of the 
country and that the institution of Rulers has been enshrined 
in the constitution, "at the apex of Government, as the head 
of the country and the states, as a protective umbrella, 
ensuring impartiality among the citizens."  The rulers also 
stressed that the institution of Rulers takes on the role of 
being a "check-and-balance factor to untangle complications." 
 They concluded by reiterating the importance of Malay unity 
and the constitutionally guaranteed rights of the non-Malays, 
 
KUALA LUMP 00000929  002 OF 003 
 
 
and hoped "all confusion among the people regarding these 
matters can be contained, and an atmosphere of peace, harmony 
and mutual respect can continue to exist among the people for 
the maintenance of order in the country.8 
 
¶5.  (SBU) Following release of the statement, the Royal 
Chamberlain attached to the Council clarified that the Rulers 
in fact had drafted their remarks prior to the Council's 
meeting, seemingly an effort to distance the remarks from any 
particular political pressure. 
 
Conflicting Interpretations 
--------------------------- 
 
¶6. (C) Prime Minister and United Malays National Organization 
(UMNO) President Abdullah Badawi stated on October 18 that 
the rulers were reminding Malaysians to "uphold and respect 
the constitution."  However, other UMNO leaders who are 
currently campaigning for party positions and the UMNO owned 
Malay language media interpreted the ruler's statement as the 
"final word," "a meaningful reminder," "an appropriate 
non-compromising stand," and a "warning" against those who 
question Malay rights and the position of Islam in the 
country.  UMNO cabinet minister Shahrir Samad, who is not 
identified as a hardliner, told us on October 21 that those 
UMNO leaders who are "ranting" over the statement do not seem 
to realize that the rulers are actually reminding political 
parties that they are also "stake holders" in the country's 
political future.  He stated candidly that UMNO cannot 
continue to claim ownership of the symbols of "Malay 
supremacy" by forgetting the role of the Malay rulers. 
 
¶7. (C) In contrast with UMNO's public spin, Opposition 
parties interpreted the statement as a warning to UMNO not to 
incite racial hatred.  The Peoples Justice Party (PKR) Vice 
President Azmin Ali told us on October 21 that the statement 
was a clear reminder to UMNO "not to view all issues from a 
narrow racial perspective."  The party's Information Chief 
Tian Chua added that the statement was a signal that no 
political force can claim to be defending the rights of any 
race.  He added that it was a warning to UMNO to mind its own 
business and not to interfere in the role of the "monarchy 
that is supposed to look after Malay rights."  Democratic 
Action party (DAP) senior leader and parliamentarian Lim Kit 
Siang stated that the Rulers' remarks should be seriously 
studied by all Malaysians who are interested in the well 
being of the country "so that we can enhance our national 
competitiveness in the borderless era of information 
technology and globalization." 
 
¶8. (SBU) Malaysian civil society likewise emphasized varying 
interpretations of the Ruler's remarks aimed at bolstering 
their own positions.  The Council's announcement received a 
significant amount of media coverage, garnering front page, 
large-lettered headlines in all the dailies.  Interestingly 
enough, the two most prominent UNNO publications--the New 
Straits Times and the Utusan--conveyed different 
interpretations of the remarks, with Malay-language Utusan 
supporting a more hardline interpretation to feed its ethnic 
Malay readership.  The president of the UMNO-backed Malay 
Solidarity Council (which reportedly represents 200 small 
Malay NGOs) Ismail Hussin claimed the statement supported his 
group's campaign against what they see as an increasing 
challenges to Malay special privileges.  Malaysian Bar 
Council President Ambiga Sreenevasan, who has faced 
conservative Malay criticism for the Council's recent attempt 
to hold a seminar on religious conversion, told reporters 
October 17 that the statement reaffirmed the importance of 
the federal constitution and was a reminder of the guarantees 
accorded to all Malaysians.  Malaysian Human Rights Society 
President Malik Imtiaz echoed Ambiga's view adding that the 
statement "places equal emphasis on both Malay rights and 
non-Malays rights."  Malaysian Human Rights Commission 
Chairman Abu Talib Othman stated that the rulers felt they 
had a duty to ensure the country prospered and developed 
peacefully in accordance with the Constitution.  He added 
that it was a reminder to all Malaysians "not to do anything 
to affect the (nation's) peace and harmony." 
 
Rulers Affirm Former UMNO Lawyer as Chief Justice 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶9. (SBU) In a related development, the Conference of Rulers 
at its October 16 meeting decided to affirm Court of Appeal 
 
KUALA LUMP 00000929  003 OF 003 
 
 
President Zaki Tun Azmi as the next Chief Justice of 
Malaysia, according to press reports.  He replaces Chief 
Justice Abdul Hamid Mohamed who officially retired on October 
¶17.   Under Article 122B (1) of the Federal Constitution, 
"the Chief Justice of the Federal Court, the President of the 
Court of Appeal and the Chief Judges shall be appointed by 
the King  acting on the advice of the Prime Minister, after 
consulting the Conference of Rulers.8  Zaki, who until last 
year was UMNO's long-time legal advisor, made history in 
September 2007 when he was appointed directly to the Federal 
Court from the legal profession, bypassing other senior 
judges.  Opposition coalition Peoples Alliance (PR) had 
submitted a letter dated October 16 to the King and all the 
Malay rulers urging a deferment in the appointment of the 
Chief Justice and consideration of public opinion on the 
matter.  Over 25,000 people have already signed an online 
petition to the king to object to Zaki's appointment due to 
his involvement with UMNO.  In their letter the PR leaders 
stated that "the appointment of the chief justice is 
important to ensure the integrity and credibility of the 
judiciary." Although Zaki's appointment has not been 
officially announced, Bar Council President Ambiga 
Sreenevasan told reporters she hoped that Zaki would dispel 
concerns expressed about his political and business 
affiliations "through the conduct of his duties and by a 
demonstration of independence and impartiality at all times." 
KEITH