When Tony Pua questioned the Sultan of Selangor's authority last month, I did not weigh in personally on the matter because I took a broader view of the issue.
I did not think Tony was either right or wrong, because I saw the controversy as something that arose from a long and complicated relationship between two parties — namely, the royalty and the people — where much more is implied than is ever said out loud.
In any long and complicated relationship, disputes cannot be settled simply by debating them in a straightforward and cut-and-dried manner.
This is because such relationships are built upon countless interactions and transactions over a long period of time, most of which are never formally recorded.
When an issue arises in such a relationship, there is usually far more beneath the surface than meets the eye. Attempting to deal with it too directly often adds to the turmoil and makes an already difficult resolution even harder to find.
This time, however, when Tony appears to be questioning the Regent of Johor over the politically charged remarks that His Highness has been making during the Johor election season, I do not see the issue to be quite as complicated as it was previously.
To be frank, His Highness does appear even to my eyes to be stepping quite openly and unapologetically into the political arena with some of his recent remarks.
At a time when Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional are contesting an election that could have far-reaching implications not only for the two coalitions but also for the broader political landscape of the country, His Highness's direct criticism of the federal government, his advocacy of the Bangsa Johor theme that has been embraced by Johor BN, and his public criticism of a Muar parliamentarian all sends an unmistakable signal that perhaps His Highness prefers one side over another.
Even if this is not the signal His Highness wishes to send, it is the case that this is the message that is inadvertently being sent.
Seen in this light, I have to say that what Tony is saying appears to me to be consistent with what is transpiring in reality.
This, by the way, is what Tony said:
"When senior members of the royal family become openly and directly (or indirectly) involved in politics and political campaigning, displaying bias and taking sides, do they not expose themselves to rebuttal and criticism?"
"In such circumstances, are these members of the royal family beyond criticism? Does the Sedition Act still apply?"
I think Tony's argument is not excessive because politics is a contact sport. Those who enter the arena must not only expect to land blows; they must also expect to receive them.
In a political contest, the role that society traditionally expects the royalty to play is that of the judge and the referee — ensuring that the contest is conducted fairly, determining the winner according to the rules, and bringing the contest to an orderly conclusion when the time comes.
That being the case, the expectation is that the royalty will remain above the fray and maintain a comfortable distance from any of the contestants.
To the extent that the royalty appears to move closer to any side of the ring and show signs of favouring one side over another — by criticising one camp while appearing sympathetic to another — it inevitably complicates their role as impartial arbiters.
At a time when politics in Malaysia is becoming increasingly raucous and confrontational, many people place their hopes in an impartial and aloof monarchy to preserve stability and maintain order.
We can only hope that Their Highnesses continue to remain above the political fray and inspire confidence among the people that, so that even if our politics drags us further into chaos, we can still count on the Their Hinhneseses to prevent the nation from veering off the cliff.
Daulat Tuanku.
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