Ladies and Gentlemen,
Thank you for being here today. Thanks to IDEAS for this great opportunity to be with all the important people, and outgoing great individuals such as Dr Tricia Yeoh – wish you all good luck at the new place and new position, and of course to the acting CEO Aira Azhari for the burden of responsibility; under the leadership of YAM Tunku Zain Al‘Abidin ibni Tunku Muhriz – the Founding President of IDEAS.
It is a great honor to stand before you tonight, as we gather to celebrate the 14th anniversary of IDEAS, an institution that has consistently been a champion of integrity, good governance, and the values that safeguard our democracy.
Indeed, it is an honour to address the audience tonight, on a matter of great significance : Safeguarding of Malaysia’s Institutions.
It is a reminder, that the integrity of our governance systems and public institutions, is not something we can take for granted.
A well-known scholar by the name of Abu Hamid Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-Tusiyy, famously known as al-Ghazali (who lives in the period of 1058 – 1111 M), also affirmed that economic progress will be achieved if there is justice, peace, prosperity, and stability.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Before I spell out further, from the bottom of my heart and with utmost humility, I wish to say this :
ONE
I would leave everything else outside this room, and speak as an ordinary responsible citizen, because the liability to safeguard our institutions is our responsibility, not the responsibility of any politician or scientist, nor that of any engineer, political scientist or policy-maker alone.
This is our country, and our responsibility. It requires constant vigilance, dedication, and action from
each and every one of us.
TWO
1. I want to be as realistic as possible. I don’t want to be judged in the years to come, as a person who speaks fiercely on topics, paints a colourful picture or rather rhetorically and too hypothetical, just to make us feel all good, and finally hope is given.
2. At the end, it was hopeless all along. I (and we) will be judged in the years to come, whether I (or we) would be someone who is merely talk, or someone who walks my talk. One famous scholar and poet Jalaluddin ar-Rumi said : “Raise your words, not voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.”
3. We need a doer in our country, not just a dreamer or theorizer, and for sure we do not need a leader who is an “over-promiser”. I would say - "Our words start to lose value when our actions don't match".
4. Another quotes by Mufti Menk, a Grand Mufti of Zimbabwe's Muslim community : "Don't give false hopes and make empty promises knowing you won't keep them. That is wrong. Bear in mind, you'll be
remembered for what you do; not what you say you'll do".
5. Unless we are a true believer of Niccolo Machiavelli’s (who lived during the Italian Renaissance in the year of 1469 –1527, he was a Florentine diplomat, author, philosopher, and historian) reminder :
The promise given was a necessity of the past, the word broken is a necessity of the present.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
6. Safeguarding our institutions is of paramount importance to our beloved country. The very reasons
of the existence of our institutions (which I would explain further later) which are the pillars of our nation - determine whether we would move further prosperously or going down the drain, kaput and ruined.
7. I would like to give a different case for our understanding.
8. Let’s take a moment and have a look around at the room and building we are in tonight, in which we
definitely need a strong structure of pillars and things that make a building as beautiful as this, and for that, we need a strong construction piling on the ground or stable foundation; AND as for the aircraft : we need a strong and sturdy airframe – together with powerplant
(engine), tail or empennage, landing gear, fuselage, and wings : but if the fuselage structural integrity is spoiled or fatigued, then there would be no point in having a strong and efficient engine.
9. However, for our nation building, there exists one more basic foundation that need more scrutiny and some serious intervention, otherwise the pillars (our institutions) would become weak, unstable, and finally become a ticking time bomb which would destroy the very pillars that we spoke about.
10. Then comes the question : what could be the foundation of that importance ? I will let you
ponder upon that question for the moment, then I will give my take at the end of my speech. So, bear
with me.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Foundation of Our Democracy
11. In these times of rapid change, both globally and within our own borders, we must be resolute in our commitment, to preserving and strengthening the institutions that define and protect our nation.
Otherwise, we could forget about having the nation of our dreams.
12. Malaysia is built upon the bedrock of democracy, justice, and unity. Our institutions—whether they are the judiciary, Parliament, the civil service, or the regulatory bodies – are the guardians of these
principles.
13. They are not merely administrative structures; they are the embodiment of our collective will and the protectors of the values that bind us together.
14. Political party might change every 5 years, but the administrative structure and our bedrock of
democracy should be solid, and need to stay intact or away from political intimidation (or threats) that come from unjustified reasoning.
15. Our judiciary ensures that justice is upheld, free from political interference or bias.
16. Our Parliament, with its representatives, voices the concerns of the people.
17. The civil service provides continuity and stability to government functions.
18. These institutions form the backbone of our democracy, ensuring accountability, transparency, and fairness for all Malaysians.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
19. The institutions that make up Malaysia encompass a range of governmental, legal, and civil bodies that collectively ensure the functioning and governance of the country.
20. These institutions play crucial roles in upholding democracy, the rule of law, and public administration. Here are the key institutions that form the core of Malaysia’s governance and society:
1. The Executive
The Monarchy : Malaysia has a unique system of a rotational monarchy, with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (the King) elected from among the nine Malay rulers every five years. The monarchy serves as the ceremonial head of state and plays a crucial role in upholding the constitutional framework.
The Prime Minister and the Cabinet : The Prime Minister, as the head of government, leads the
executive branch. The Cabinet is composed of ministers appointed by the King on the advice of the Prime Minister. The executive is responsible for implementing and administering laws and policies.
2. The Legislature
Parliament : Malaysia practices a parliamentary democracy with two legislative systems.
Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives) : The lower house, where members are elected by the
people in general elections.
Dewan Negara (Senate) : The upper house, where members are appointed, with some being nominated by the King and others by state legislative assemblies. It serves as a reviewing chamber for legislation passed by the Dewan Rakyat.
3. The Judiciary
Federal Court : The highest court in Malaysia, which deals with constitutional issues, appeals, and legal disputes between the Federation and states.
Court of Appeal : The intermediate appellate court, hearing appeals from the High Courts.
High Courts : There are two High Courts in Malaysia— one for Peninsular Malaysia and one for Sabah and Sarawak. They hear serious criminal and civil cases and also serve as appellate courts for subordinate courts.
Subordinate Courts : These include Sessions Courts and Magistrate Courts, which handle less severe civil and criminal matters.
Syariah Courts : These courts deal with matters of Islamic law (Sharia) and are applicable only to Muslims. They handle issues such as marriage, inheritance, and religious offenses.
4. Civil Service
The Civil Service : Comprising government agencies, departments, and public servants, the civil service ensures the implementation of laws, policies, and public administration. Key departments include the Public Service Department (JPA), Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education, and many more.
Local Government : At the local level, municipal councils and district offices manage public services
and local administration.
5. Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA)
Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) : The national police force responsible for maintaining public order,
enforcing laws, and ensuring national security.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) : A body tasked with investigating and combating corruption in both public and private sectors.
Immigration Department and Customs : These agencies manage immigration, border control, and
customs enforcement AND Others.
Attorney General Office – independency of the prosecution
For all the Law Enforcement Agencies, strengthening our institutions means having a more independent LEA, no political interference, or no politically motivated investigation for that matter and so on – and
there would be no two ways about it. This is a must.
6. Election Commission (EC)
The Election Commission is an independent body responsible for conducting and overseeing elections at both the federal and state levels, ensuring free and fair elections, on a level playing field.
7. Bank Negara Malaysia (Central Bank)
The Central Bank of Malaysia is responsible for maintaining monetary stability, issuing currency, regulating the financial system, and promoting economic growth.
8. Securities Commission and Bursa Malaysia
These institutions regulate Malaysia’s capital markets, ensuring transparency, fair trading practices, and investor protection.
9. National Audit Department
This department audits the accounts of government ministries, departments, and agencies, ensuring financial transparency and accountability in public spending.
10. The Malaysian Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC)
The PAC is responsible for examining the government’s spending and ensuring public funds are used appropriately.
11. Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
SUHAKAM promotes and protects human rights in Malaysia, monitoring human rights conditions and
providing recommendations to the government.
12. Media and Civil Society Organizations
Although not formal government institutions, the media and civil society groups play a significant role in holding the government accountable, ensuring transparency, and advocating for reforms.
However, all those colourful backdrops seem to be slipping away as can be seen today, especially on the issue of media control and intimidation.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Challenges to Our Institutions
21. All those institutions together form the core infrastructure, that upholds Malaysia’s governance, democracy, and public administration.
22. Safeguarding their independence, transparency, and effectiveness is crucial for ensuring stability, justice, and progress in Malaysia, no matter whose hands that power rests in.
23. However, we must acknowledge the challenges that threaten the integrity of our institutions. Corruption, political interference (and worst still – a political pressure, coersion and political fascism), and the erosion of public trust, are some of the forces that can undermine the effectiveness, and independence of these bodies.
24. These threats can have a long-lasting impact, weakening the very systems designed to protect our rights and freedoms; and as a results would sway the investors away from our shore.
25. Corruption, for instance, not only depletes our resources but also damages the public’s faith in governance. It is crucial to combat corruption at every level, ensuring that our institutions remain credible and effective. Political interference, on the other hand, can compromise the impartiality of institutions, distorting the very purpose for which they were created. When decisions are made based on political motivations rather than the rule of law, the people suffer, and democracy falters.
26. It’s “a zero sum game” anyway, or in a worst case scenario becoming “summation to the minus” – on one side we were talking and preaching about governance – integrity openly, but on the other hand
we are reviving towards an increase in political pressure, interference, intimidation – and it is done quietly or tacitly.
27. AS a results, with my term of “summation to the minus” – which means the negative value is prevailing over the positive connotation.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Role of the People
28. Safeguarding our institutions is not the responsibility of the government alone. Every Malaysian has a role to play. As citizens, we must remain vigilant, informed, and engaged.
29. We must demand accountability from our leaders and institutions. We must ensure that those entrusted with public office to act not only with integrity, transparency, and in the best interests of the nation; and must shy away from grudges and personal vendetta.
30. The media, too, plays a crucial role in this process. A free and independent press is essential in shining a light on wrongdoings, holding power to account, and providing the public with the information they need to make informed decisions.
31. However, freedom doesn’t mean free will and free for all without any restrain of course - as such “fitnah” or slander is totally off limits and needs to be dealt with, regardless of their political inclination.
32. Similarly, civil society organizations are vital in advocating for reforms, monitoring the performance of institutions, and promoting the public’s interests.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Reinforcing Our Institutions
33. To safeguard our institutions, we must also focus on reinforcing their resilience. This requires constant reform and renewal. Institutions must evolve with the changing times, adapting to new challenges while staying true to their core values.
34. In my maiden speech in the Parliament on 5 March 2024, I have said clearly that we need to rejuvenate our Federal Constitution and its interpretation, and one of it of course Part 6 (Bahagian VI) – which related to the Federal and State jurisdiction of power and affairs, in particular Table 9 and 10 of our Federal Constitution, to give more room or limited autonomy to the State Government in certain things – for reasons I will not explain in this forum.
35. Above all, we also need to strengthen our legal frameworks to ensure that they adequately protect
against abuse of power and corruption.
36. Transparency and accountability, must be ingrained in the very fabric of our institutional processes.
37. Secondly, the independence of our judiciary must be safeguarded at all costs. A robust and impartial judiciary is critical to upholding the rule of law, and ensuring that all Malaysians are treated fairly, regardless of their background or position.
38. Thirdly, we must invest in capacity building within the civil service. A professional, competent, and nonpartisan civil service is essential for the smooth functioning of our government.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Conclusion
39. At the beginning of my speech, I asked you, the audience : what could be the foundation of that importance for our nation ? Here now I am giving my take as promised earlier – to which I call it the pre-requisite to safeguarding our institutions.
40. We need to accept the facts that we are living in a multi diverse community, a heterogenous society if you like, and nothing like it elsewhere with a similar background and historical setting.
41. As such, nobody for that matter would be able to understand our complexity, let alone the multi-verse expectation within our community - be it for the Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan, Iban and so on so forth.
42. I bet we would get a diverse answer to a simple question of “Give me your top 5 priorities in life” if we ask the Malay, Chinese or Indian or Bumiputera Sabah & Sarawak.
43. Then each one of us would fight for each group’s rights and needs in a different direction, sometimes conflicting each other, all the while pretending that we have a unifying factor to hold us together, but the heat is brewing underneath.
44. If we do not understand each other, or refuse to understand each other, especially the curiosity of the majority towards the needs of minority groups or vice versa, then the feeling of suspicion and mistrust will further develop, and grow wider and wider, in terms of racial relation and tension – and finally infects all aspects of life in our country.
45. This is a serious topic in itself, and I don’t intend to explain it further tonight.
46. That is the foundation of where the pillars of our institutions should be placed, for us to have a strong structure.
47. The remedy should be of our own, and we are the ones who should sit down and settle it for once and for all.
48. I wish to read what has been written by Rory Stewart (former diplomat in Indonesia and Montenegro, left diplomatic service for a two year walk across Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, India and Nepal; a former Secretary of State for International Development during Theresa May as a Prime
Minister of the UK) in his book “Politics on the Edge” in the early chapter :
49. “I had entered Iraq supporting the war on the grounds that we could at least produce a better society than Saddam Hussein’s. It was one of the greatest mistakes in my life. We attempted to impose
programmes made up by Washington think tanks, and reheated in air-conditioned palaces in Baghdad -
a new taxation system modelled on Hong Kong, a system of ministers borrowed from Singapore, and
free ports modelled on Dubai. But we did it ultimately at the point of gun, and our resources, our abstract jargon and optimistic platitudes could not conceal how much Iraqis resented us, how much we were failing, and how humiliating and degrading our work had become. Our mission was a grotesque satire of every liberal aspiration for peace, growth and democracy”.
(Rory Stewart’s father, Brian Stewart, a diplomat and senior intelligence officer of the British Goverment, once served as First Secretary in Kuala Lumpur from 1964 - 1967, Secretary for Chinese Affairs in Melaka from 1955 - 1957)
50. Ladies and gentlemen, Malaysia’s institutions are the pillars upon which our democracy rests. To safeguard them is to safeguard our future, our rights, and our freedom.
51. As Malaysians, we must all play our part, in ensuring that these institutions remain strong, independent, and true to their purpose, regardless as to whom comes to power every 4-5 years.
52. In these times of rapid change, both globally and within our own borders, we must be resolute in our commitment to preserving and strengthening the institutions that define and protect our nation.
53. It’s easy to say, as some people would say in Bahasa Melayu : “Bercakap tak pakai modal, hanya modal air liur sahaja”. Doing it requires another set of political bravery, determination, and not for the sake of oneself but for the whole NATION.
54. Together, we can ensure that our institutions not only endures but thrives, for the benefit of generations to come.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Thank you
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