Going Back to Feudalism

Back to Feudalism?

The reason why people do away with Feudalism is mostly because of its unjust nature where power and wealth are solely the authority of the so-called royal blood. While the people or the commoner struggle to meet ends the all too powerful do nothing instead they continue to oppress their subjects through countless and sometimes too much duress and injustice. Having absolute power means everything is for them to do as they please. At the end, gradually the mass regain their dignity mostly through education and at present there are on a handful of monarchs left. Mostly are with ceremonial functions only including ours , to certain extent.

Two days ago, out of a sudden and may be to benefit of present situation whereby the mass are getting increasingly uneasy with the government's conduct and performance, a suggestion to reinvent the monarch by giving them back immunity which is taken away almost 30 years ago by the then government lead by Tun Dr Mahathir. Such move in its entirety should not even be uttered in the first place as it is liken to bringing our young nation to the dark ages of Feudalism. There's even a grandiose hope that one day the King may elect the Prime Minister!

Being a loyal Malaysian, I am grateful of what we are enjoying today particularly the freedom of speech though there are still rooms for improvements but we'll be there one day. Such indication to me has ulterior motive and many share my sentiment. I am not questioning what the monarchs and royals are enjoying today but can we really trust them to look after the well-being of the people while they themselves are not even elected in a democratic way? Besides, can they really feel what the commoner feel, see and experience since they are living in luxury. One blogger even compare the royals dwelling with the commoner's with a sharp and direct inscription Istana Raja vs Istana Rakyat.

Recently, the King of Bhutan abdicates in favour of his young son but with a twist- the young king is only a Constitutional Monarch like ours here. Such move is seen as following the trend of giving and surrendering more executive power to the mass. A few months ago when the Nepalese King seizes total control he's overthrown in a nick of times not only because he rules with an iron fist, oppressing the already oppressed public but also because he snatches what the people favour - a democratic government.

Maybe it is harsh and unjust to view such suggestion negatively and let us give the proponent the benefit of the doubt and maybe they mean well and their intention is pure. Such is good as a temporary measure whenever the situation becomes untenable and moving towards chaos then maybe the Monarch has a role to play and I believe that they have the authority. Coming from a Sultan-less state I view the Monarchy as a symbol of unity and a Defender of Islam and I have nothing against them as long as my right to elect a democratic government and to see that everyone is equal before the law are guaranteed.

Immunity means that one enjoys a status above the law - he or they will become untouchables and here comes the problem. We cannot solidly prove that those with immunity will steadfastly protect themselves from abuse of power since we are human and humans are to err. The only immunity belongs to the Creator since He is the All Powerful and nobody can or able to go against Him even if one wants to. Maybe today if we cloth them with immunity, they'll solemnly declare that they'll abide by the law but what will happen tomorrow? The existence of the Special Court under the Federal Constitution is a blessing where the commoner gets legal redress thus ensuring that everyone is protected by the law.

Once Tun Mahathir's bold move to strip the Monarch of their total immunity is criticised by all sort of people but today such move is a blessing in disguise looking at our current scenario where abuse of power and corruption are common occurrences day in day out. Bestowing almost absolute power and immunity from prosecution and legal action will only bring chaos and uncertainty and gradually will jeopardise this democratic nation of ours. Remember, human is to err!

Insan originates from Arabic which connotes forgetfulness