He suggested the move was needed as the Pakatan Harapan opposition bloc had proven to be “weak” in going up against the BN, which won a bigger mandate in the recently-ended Sarawak election.
“We do not have a strong opposition to provide check-and-balance to the ruling politicians. Some powers should be restored to the Rulers in order to help curb politicians from not being accountable.
“In that way, we would at least see some sharing of power between the politicians and Rulers” he told Malay Mail Online today.
Zaid who was minister in charge of law during the Abdullah administration was weighing in on a call by Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor last week, for an amendment to the Federal Constitution to restore the powers of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or Rulers to examine and approve Bills.
The former Umno politician said he had previously backed the Mahathir administration’s move to curb the power of the Malay Rulers, but emphasised that the situation now had changed.
“I supported Dr Mahathir back in 1994 as the Rulers should be held accountable for their actions, which they were not. Hence, removing powers like personal immunity was appropriate,” he said, referring to former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who was instrumental in cutting down the power of the monarchs.
“However 20 years down the road, the political leaders are also not accountable for their actions. Some of their actions are worse than the Rulers’ back then. A check and balance is needed,” Zaid said.
He did not specify which powers should be restored, but said Malaysians should not be worried that the Rulers would have too much power in their hands.
Last Saturday, state news agency Bernama reported Sultan Ibrahim as saying that the monarchy should have their powers back instead of serving to only rubber-stamp Bills passed in either Parliament or the state legislative assemblies.
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