Blogspot used to be a hotbed for the Malaysian alternative media. I used to read a lot of blogs discussing politics and current affairs in the mid-2000s.
But nowadays, Facebook and Twitter have given new, better, and wide-reaching space to the political pundits and even political leaders alike.
Anyway, I'm planning to write long on some issues that I simply am too lazy to start now.
But here's a thought. Lately, the HM Agong has been involved, and occassionally involved himself in politics. It makes me think if there had been any Agong in the past who had been as present and active in politics as the current Agong, al-Sultan Abdullah.
His Majesty's immediate predecessor, despite his eventual abdication which "perhaps" was a result of high-level politics, did not however get too involved in politics throughout his shorter than usual tenure. Granted, those were the days when the grand old party reigned supreme. Apart from some occassional jostling among politicians, that government was very strong & stable. By the way, did anyone notice he never went for an official state visit?
The Agong before that was already very old when he ascended the throne. In fact, it was his second outing as Supreme Ruler as he had reigned for the first time 40 years prior. And the government was also very strong & stable.
However, the Agong before that, Tuanku Mizan was quite involved in politics. As a matter of fact, no other Agong as far as I know who had ever issued a direct titah (royal address) to the people. Remember when His Majesty issued the titah khas (special royal address) on the eve of the Bersih 2.0 rally? Normally, HM Agong conveyed his wishes via a communique ie press statement from his office (signed off by a royal household official) to address the people. But Tuanku Mizan issued a direct titah using the first person 'Beta' (I), as opposed to Seri Paduka Baginda (His Majesty) as normally would be for press statements issued by the Agong's office. And although there were no strong words being used at all, it was issued late at night, which made it look very serious and urgent, or at least that's what the Bersih organisers saw that they felt compelled to ask for His Majesty's audience the very next day. And see His Majesty they did. And they obeyed His Majesty's orders to follow the rules and procedures to organise the rally peacefully.
Ironically, Tuanku Mizan who's now back ruling his home state as Sultan Mizan, also appears to be one of the more quiet royals in the country. But alas, when the usually quiet man voices out, you better listen.
