Ampun Tuanku: A Brief Guide to Constitutional Government

by Zaid Ibrahim

Malaysia is at a crossroads. Her discourse has never been so vibrant or so mature. Her people have never been more politically aware or involved. It is with this in mind that Zaid Ibrahim wades deep into uncharted waters and takes on the delicate subject matter that is the Malay Ruler and the role he plays in the formation of a constitutional government in Malaysia. In this brand new book, Zaid Ibrahim considers the unique nature of the Malaysian monarchic system and provides both a history and context to its being. He ponders on the purpose of such an institution in a modern democracy and tries to identify the characteristics that would make an ideal and relevant 21st-century monarch. He confronts what is probably the most pressing question of If long-running tensions between the monarchy and the political establishment are not resolved, what will the ramifications be if the next General Election demands a transfer of power to the Opposition? He asks this and more without ever straying from the conviction that the Malay Ruler still has a crucial role to play in today s society. These meditations are a must-read for all those invested in the future of Malaysia.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2012

Reviews

[Syed Muhammad Danial · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buku yang ditulis oleh bekas ahli UMNO dan juga seorang peguam tersohor iaitu Zaid Ibrahim. Buku ini adalah buku yang amat bagus kepada sesiapa yang ingin mengetahui secara asas tentang hubungan perlembagaan persekutuan dan institusi Raja di Malaysia. Banyak kes dan isu yang telah dikemukakan oleh penulis seperti kes Menteri Besar Perak, keguguran tuduhan terhadap anak raja yang memukul rakyat di kelab malam dan pelbagai lagi.

[Aziz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Selepas beberapa kontroversi yang menyentuh Istana pasca 2008 termasuk pertukaran rejim pemerintahan di Perak, isu pelantikan menteri besar Terengganu dan Perlis serta isu-isu terkini yang berkait rapat dengan institusi istana seperti isu plat nombor WWW 1 dan terkini kontroversi blog Uncle Seekers, membaca buku terbaru Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, mantan menteri dan senator ini adalah sebuah pembacaan yang menarik.

Buku ini pada asasnya ialah satu usaha perbincangan intelektual tentang kedudukan serta peranan raja-raja Melayu di Malaysia mengikut skop perlembagaan Malaysia itu sendiri. Pada masa yang sama Zaid Ibrahim membangkitkan beberapa isu yang pada beliau menunjukkan terdapat kecenderungan penyimpangan peranan tersebut terutama selepas berlakunya isu pertukaran pemerintah di Perak yang pada beliau menunjukkan bagaimana institusi tersebut telah mula bergerak ke arah yang tidak sepatutnya dari sisi perlembagaan.

Zaid Ibrahim pada masa yang sama membangkitkan juga isu-isu agama dan politik yang berkait rapat dengan peranan istitusi beraja dan mencadangkan bagaimanakah seharusnya pihak istana memainkan peranan mereka dalam kerangkan perlembagaan bagi mewujudkan sebuah masyarakat yang lebih sihat.

Sebuah buku yang bagi saya sangat menarik dan berani.

[Abdullah Hussaini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memuat turun pdfnya secara percuma dari web Encik Zaid sendiri. Satu penulisan yang baik untuk pencerahan namun bukan mudah untuk membawa pemikiran sebegini dalam kalangan royalti malaysia.

[Khairul Hezry · Rating 4 out of 5]

The review below first appeared in my blog, The Malaysian Reader

A well timed book this, what with the General Elections looming and for the first time in Malaysia’s history there is a distinct possibility that the Opposition could win the mandate of the people. Should that happen, Zaid Ibrahim asks, what will the ramifications be if “long-running tensions between the monarchy and the political establishment are not resolved”?

As anachronistic as the idea of a monarchy in a democratic country may be, Zaid Ibrahim argues that the Malay monarchs do have a role to play in Malaysia. And there lies the problem: there seems to be two different interpretations of the role of the Malay Rulers. Some of them see themselves as something close to an absolute monarch (Zaid cites the Sultan of Perak’s refusal to grant the then Chief Minister of Perak, Nizar Jamaluddin to dissolve the State Assembly in 2008 and instead asked Nizar to step down) while another interpretation and a more popular one because you know, it’s in the law books, is that the Malay royals are bound by the Constitution on what they can or cannot do. The Malay Rulers may have special privileges and rights that are not enjoyed by the rest of the nation but they must still live within those rights. It is when they are seen to be overstepping those rights that people start grumbling.

As the subtitle of the book suggests, Malaysia needs to be governed according to the Constitution in which the Palace has a part to play but there has to be a clear distinction between the Palace and His Majesty’s Government. The Rulers’ insistence in involving themselves in business and local politics is one reason Malaysian politics is in such a mess right now. The gist of Ampun Tuanku is not so much a criticism of the present conduct of the Malay rulers but rather a clarion call for common sense.

[Nik MS]

Krisis-krisis yang melibatkan sultan sebagai contoh krisis Menteri Besar Perak dan pelantikan Menteri Besar Terengganu serta beberapa yang lain mengundang beberapa persoalan di benak kita - apakah sebenarnya bidangkuasa sultan dalam negara kita.

Oleh itu, buku ini adalah antara buku yang tepat untuk menjawab persoalan yang dutarakan. Zaid Ibrahim cuba menerangkan tentang kedudukan dan peranan serta bidangkuasa raja-raja Melayu mengikut perlembagaan persekutuan sebagai undang-undang tertinggi negara kita. Raja-raja Melayu di negara kita hakikatnya tidak boleh bertindak melainkan melalui kuasa yang diberikan oleh perlembagaan. Oleh sebab itu wujudnya satu istilah yang dipanggil Raja Berperlembagaan.

Melalui buku ini, Zaid Ibrahim menaikkan beberapa isu yang mana raja-raja Melayu dilihat telah bertindak berlawanan dengan kuasa yang diperuntukkan oleh perlembagaan.

Selain itu, Zaid Ibrahim juga membangkitkan isu peranan institusi beraja dalam politik dan agama (memandangkan raja-raja Melayu adalah ketua agama) untuk melahirkan masyarakat yang harmoni dan bukan sekadar satu simbol.

Bagi saya buku ini adalah satu percubaan yang berani tetapi ikhlas. Berani kerana tidak ramai yang berani mengambil risiko bercakap mengenai raja kerana ia ialah perkara yag sensitif. Ikhlas kerana apa yang cuba disampaikan oleh Zaid Ibrahim hanyalah berupa satu tulisan akademik menerusi sudut undang-undang ie perlembagaan.

[Kyairul Azmi Baharin · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book, the author attempts to define what are the role, duties and most importantly, limitations of monarchs under a constitutional government. The main contention is that Malay rulers should not be involved in politics by choosing sides. The rulers should be seen as neutral and impartial. Him and his closest family should also stay away from being directly involved in business, so that they could avoid making decisions based on pressure or personal interest. The funds and taxpayer money used to support the king's household should be publicly accessible. The author highlight the importance of rulers fulfilling their responsibility as heads of Islam. The author also argues that when the constitution clashes with the syariah law, the former should have precedence. Finally, he concludes that the king should know their responsibility and fulfill them in order to win the love of the 'rakyat'.

[Azzam Syafiq · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a regular Malaysian, sometimes I wonder: what is actually the function of the Conference of Rulers and its members? We already have the Prime Minister to do the heavy lifting in administrating the country, what are the Kings for? Do they really represent something important in the country's governance? Or are they just wasting the rakyat's tax money by being a sloth at their big castles?

If you ever have thoughts like that, then this book is for you. Zaid Ibrahim tells us in a friendly yet strong manner about the real functions of the Kings, and how they play a pivotal role in shaping Malaysia's uncertain future. It's a great book if you want to learn more about our monarchs.

[Fariza · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great reading item for those interested on issues regarding our constitutional government. Zaid had shown us how a mature democracy should be done by writing this book. I am not a big fan of the Malay Ruler and always wonders what are their roles for the country. Here, in this book Zaid do answers my question regarding of them. It is interesting to know that we still struggle to find our identities as Malaysian. Zaid believed that a national identity will surely evolve when different communities do even more things together. I'm in the same tone as him, as I believed that what we need is more sharing moments with all communities.

[Jeff Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, I must say that Zaid writes well and I enjoyed reading his book from beginning to end.
Secondly, I must praise him for having the courage to write this book. He even admits that he could be open to threats and ridicule for expressing his opinions.
I learnt a lot about constitutional issues involving the monarchy, syariah law and Malays. I concur with Zaid that the rulers have a vital place in our society and that they command the respect they command from everyone can be put to good use.

[Fadillah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do think that this is a must read book for all Malaysians out there. We often puzzled what did our king do exactly? What are their roles and authority in the governance or do they even have it in the first place? I am sure that most of us know that we have constitutional monarchy but the info is limited up that extend. Some even fail to understand the essence of it including me. The crucial distinction of moderate and extremist Muslims has been discussed in the book and how The sultans and king can assist and contribute to solve the problem. This is truly enlightening book.

[Ahmad Arif · Rating 5 out of 5]

While one may not agree with all of Datuk Zaid's contentions, one cannot deny that the man has produced a well researched and well argued book that begs a rebuttal from the feudal royalist and rabid republican camps. If all discussions can take place in a manner as reasoned as this, ours would be a better country for it. Pity the man's idealism has put him between a rock and a hard place, political future-wise.

[Muhammad Ariff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amat perlu dibaca oleh tiap-tiap daripada untuk mendapatkan pemahaman dan pencerahan perihal Perlembagaan dan kedudukan monarki di negara. Interpretasi yang sangat mendalam dan meluas. Mohon bagi mereka yang bergegar perihal politik yang diceduk daripada sang pemblog untuk dapatkan buku ini berserta senaskah Perlembagaan Persekutuan dan fahamkan.

[Khairul Shafee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy Zaid Ibrahim writings. This book has opened my eyes on the role of the King and the Sultans in our society. Indeed, the Rulers have to play a bigger role. They are more than just a symbol. They should be with the people rather than taking sides. Anyway, this book is well written.

[Liy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Malaysian should read this! Very delicately written.

[Johan Radzi · Rating 2 out of 5]

tiada input baru aku dapat.

okaylah untuk orang yang tidak berapa kenal perundangan. ia memberi nafas pengenalan untuk perlembagaan kita dengan udara yang sederhana.