'Respect laws to avoid anarchy'

The New Straits Times 
by AUDREY DERMAWAN AND P. CHANDRA SAGARAN

CONCERN: Efforts must be made continuously to ensure peace and harmony, says Perak ruler

KUALA KANGSAR: MALAYSIA is feared heading towards anarchy when the people start to set aside laws and no longer believe in  law enforcement authorities as well as the integrity of the courts.

Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah, in his speech at the investiture held in conjunction with his 84th birthday celebration at Istana Iskandariah here yesterday, said the people's lack of confidence in legal institutions would lead them to take action without taking into consideration the supremacy of laws.

He said if investigation methods, detentions, prosecutions and court processes were to be questioned because people felt injustice had been done, it would only result in the people having doubts about the country's legal institutions.

"When people start to set aside laws and no longer believe in the authorities, it is feared that the country is in a state which can cause it to descend into anarchy."

Sultan Azlan Shah said law enforcement and a just management should be carried out through fair, just and transparent practices, made perfect through a free judiciary with the participation of well-respected judges, as well as the support of law enforcement bodies with high integrity.

He said there were bound to be differences in one's stand and interpretations of certain issues.

However, Sultan Azlan Shah said these differences should be geared towards finding an amicable solution to build a better nation.

He also added that there was no immediate formula which could be used to untangle problems and that instant solutions only made matters worse and had the potential to pose as a new threat to the country.

"Efforts to ensure continuous peace need the strength and bravery of those involved in a misunderstanding as it can bruise one's ego. Peace can only be achieved through the culture of consultation which seeks to find the truth.

"And truth can only be found through rational thinking.

" It can never be found in the spirit where everyone wants to gain victory. In any squabble, there is no one who is right and no one who is wrong.

"One should prioritise peace and harmony. Sow in our hearts the culture of consultation to seek and defend the truth."

Peace and harmony, Sultan Azlan Shah said, were not only compulsory to be preserved, but also should be a joint responsibility of the people so as not to create issues which could affect peace and harmony.