ALOR STAR: The Sultan of Kedah Al-Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah said that Malaysia would become a "house of cards" without consensus between the state and federal governments.
In his royal address at the First Meeting of the Second Session of the Kedah legislative assembly, His Majesty stressed that while political differences should be celebrated, political animosity should be limited.
Sultan Sallehuddin reminded all parties that besides enabling the states to join hands in facing geopolitical challenges, the objective of the Malaysian federation was to develop the economy based on the principle of equal shares of resources.
"To ensure that the Malaysian Federation which practices the democratic system functions well, political differences should be celebrated. Meanwhile, political animosity should be limited.
"Therefore, the state's voice in the development aspect should be heard at the federal level.
"The channels of bilateral cooperation between the state government and the federal government should exist so that the role of the state in national development is given due attention.
"I believe with the maturity of the menteri besar and the profiency of the prime minister, this can be achieved.
"Without consensus between the state and the federal governments, Malaysia is akin to 'house of cards'... it looks strong, but is actually weak," he said.
Present were the Sultanah of Kedah, Sultanah Maliha Tengku Ariff, Raja Muda of Kedah, Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah; Raja Puan of Muda Kedah, Che Puan Muda Zaheeda Mohamad Ariff; Tunku Mahkota of Kedah, Tunku Shazuddin Ariff and Tunku Puan Mahkota of Kedah, Che Puan Nur Julie Ariff.
In his royal address, Sultan Sallehuddin also congratulated Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor and all assemblymen for their triumph in the state election that was held in last August.
He also congratulated Zubir Ahmad and Abdul Razak Khamis for their appointment as the state assembly speaker and deputy speaker respectively.
In his maiden royal address for the state government's new term, His Majesty reminded the state lawmakers of their huge responsibilities to uphold, develop and to preserve the state's rights.
"The duty of the assemblymen in this House is to enact laws. The authority of this House is enacting laws that are stipulated in the state list and the joint list of the Federal Constitution.
"On top of that, in accordance with Article 77 of the Federal Constitution, this House also has the right to enact laws for matters that are not specifically mentioned under any list in the Ninth Schedule.
"As such, this basis must be understood by the assemblymen, so that it will not deviate from its original objective.
"To be reputable lawmakers, assemblymen must be on the ground to understand the people's issues and be open minded in listening to views from all parties.
"This is in line with advice by French democratic philosopher Baron De Montesquieu, 'To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them'," he said.
Sultan Sallehuddin also called for the state government to continue implementing the Kedah 2035 Development Plan (Kedah2025).