Perak Politics and History

2 months well, actually it's 1 1/2 months since I went back to work... it's been an interesting time. Thought I'd take some time to get used to the mad rush, but it's slowly sinking in. I adapt. But the events which have been unfolding in our country and the world... especially in my home state, Perak....has been quite... well, interesting.

The shock of the 12th GE has already settled I guess, and by and large Malaysians are waking up to the fact that it's not just BN who can rule. I guess too we're slowly learning that the country can still move on without BN, should that happen. And that realization is good cos it shows that democracy is alive.... we need that to keep corruption and excesses checked!

The comedy is in Perak these last couple of weeks. Malaysiakini's poll shows more than 60% of those who took part disagreeing with Sultan Azlan's decision. Well, the Sultans have been gaining popularity since the political tsunami. I guess people had to look to something stable in times of uncertainties.... but guess what? Looks like HRH may have blew it for the royals. His daughter's ownership of Gamuda which was highlighted and its presumed connection with UMNO made him... quite human. Suddenly it made sense... his unpopular and questionable decision.

Prior to this, the fiasco of the supposedly highly respected Negeri Sembilan royalty... where money and power dictated... and the intrigues behind the scenes also did not help the Royals' case. Our supposedly 2 more respected royal families; and when their laundry was washed in public, they certainly didn't look good at all. For theirs was not like the QE2's annus horribilis which was more of scandals and her children's marriage problems. Theirs was that of power play, political intrigues and money. And many royals led lives which included activities not in agreement with their position as heads of their faith.

Now if we were to go back to history. The Royals sold their rights and also the peasants' to the Brits long ago.... of course this can also be subjected to debate.

The Perak royalty started the ball rolling actually. The 1874 Pangkor Treaty marked the beginning of British intervention and subsequent rule in the Peninsula. There was power struggle for the throne among the chieftains. In the end Raja Abdullah got what he wanted - to be the Sultan, kicking Sultan Ismail out with the help of the Brits.... there's similarity with what is happening in Perak now.... with the Sultan playing the Brits' role. 8)

Go read it from Wikipedia... it's more interesting than our textbook version. It's a tale of 'power' for-ownself at the expense of everything else. Of course one could argue that Brits involvement were unavoidable... but that is a road not taken. So no point speculating...

Anyway, why study history??? So that we can learn from the past. And the past records shows that royalties, be it here or anywhere else for that matter... they are there because they want to stay in power. In days of old, the king or ruler was usually the strongest and ablest fighter too. But, they too became wiser and learned the art of politics... and opportunities. These days brawn has been replaced by brains, of course.

Hence, the questioning begins from the peasants cos when peasants can use their brains and think, that puts them on par with the royals and also makes them realize that royals and peasants, there's no such thing as 'blue-blood' separating them. 'Royal' and peasants share the same the blood colour - red! 8)

Just as in UMNO... the peasants under Mahathir; in the 1980s he forced them to surrender their right to refuse assent to laws passed by Parliament. In the 1990s, he wanted to remove their immunity from prosecution cos he thought the royals were unbecoming of their status. He wanted a government that is strong so that the country can move forward. And now UMNO is defending the Royals... My! They certainly switch sides fast! Politics make strange bedfellows, most definitely. Cos suddenly 'derhaka' and 'engkar' have become chic words for them again. And blood comes in two colours again.... blue and red! LOL!

Anyway, Raja Abdullah got the Brits to legitimize his status...because he saw his fortunes rising with the Brits. And similarly, the Royals also saw the opportunity after the political tsunami and they filled that vacuum... but unfortunately the Sultan of Perak, the most learned of the royals.... may have blown that opportunity to improve the integrity and need for the royals. He would have gone down into history as one who made a difference, regardless of the outcome of the election, had it been allowed to take place. And the monarchy would gain utmost respect for that.

And guess what... Gahmen has already started seizing Harakah Daily and also Suara Keadilan... signs of more ominous things to come??? Brawn in play???