POLITICIANS should stop abusing issues of race, religion and royalty for their own gain, Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah said.

The ruler, in an interview with the Sunday Star, said these issues can destroy the nation’s peace and harmony.

“On the issue of 3Rs, especially religion and race, if these two matters are intertwined, it will be very dangerous.

“It will create suspicion, and people will not get along.

“We are one, and it will not be good for the country,” the sultan was quoted as saying.

He particularly aimed his fire at politicians, saying they should be educated on the country’s history and social contract before standing as candidates.

“I think politicians should also fully understand our history and social contract before becoming candidates.

“They need to go to class to understand our laws and the Rukun Negara as well as the social contract, and only then can you function as an effective wakil rakyat (elected representative),” he said.

The sultan also advised politicians to undergo a thorough medical check-up before contesting in elections.

“They must also go for medical check-ups before being nominated, as there are cases where they die soon after the general election and a lot of money is wasted on by-elections,” he added.

On another matter, the sultan said Malaysians must defend their multicultural values and background in order to remain united.

“I believe that it is good that we preserve all of the traditions and cultures of the various races, and it has become a melting pot that adds more richness to the civilisation of our country.

“But the main thing is, we all go in as one.

“This is for our mutual benefit and together we protect our beloved country as one,” he said.

He also said non-Malay citizens should not be labelled“pendatang” (immigrants) following the agreement of the social contract after independence in 1957.

He said many continued to use the term as they were ignorant.

“I believe they don’t understand the social contract. If we understand the social contract, we will respect each other.

“If the people knew and understood the social contract, they cannot be easily brainwashed, no matter how much the politicians bring up race and religion.

“There are no ‘pendatang’ as the Malay rulers have accepted all, including the non-Malays, as citizens,” said the ruler. – December 10, 2023.