KUALA LUMPUR: Tunku Mahkota of Johor (TMJ) Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim defended the rights of monarchs in the country to discuss politics.
During the Keluar Sekejap podcast, he said that the royals served as a check and balance on the country's political situations.
"Why am I not allowed to talk about politics?
"We (royals) do not have to get involved in politics, but if we want to give an opinion then it's okay.
"I am a citizen of the country too.
"We should not be exempted from our rights to give our take on politics," he said in the podcast session with former Umno representatives Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Hamdan today.
He said that the royal's involvement in politics was necessary to maintain order in rising political situations.
For instance, he said the countries in the Middle East that had Kings were more stable compared to those which did not have any.
He said that the royals did not openly discuss politics because it was once a prohibited subject, but the situation had changed in recent years.
"We are above politics, and politicians serve the people.
"If I observe that certain actions are not being taken and that the rakyat are not receiving the benefits, I have the right to speak up and provide reminders.
"I will always give politicians the most fundamental advice, which is to serve the people."
Tunku Ismail, commenting on the political parties, said that Umno had a strong foundation as a Malay party in the country, but that the party had no future if it did not abandon its current practices.
He said that Umno should have more high-caliber members, particularly those who could bring a distinct dynamic and could relate to the current situation in the country.
"For it (Umno) to have a future, some have to go.
"If it is stuck with the old system, I do not think Umno has a future unless they change," he added.