NOVEMBER 20 — The Yang Di-Pertuan Agong (the King), like other Constitutional monarchs, is above politics. His Majesty represents the national interest.

It is for political leaders to sort out the just-concluded 15th General Election (GE15) that has brought the country to unchartered waters with a hung Parliament.

The King’s role is secondary to the political process among elected political elites. (Read Dian AH Shah and Andrew Harding, “The King’s role in post-election government formation”)

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah speaks during the national-level Maulidur Rasul celebration at Merdeka Hall, World Trade Centre October 9, 2022. — Picture by Ahmad Zamzauri
Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah speaks during the national-level Maulidur Rasul celebration at Merdeka Hall, World Trade Centre October 9, 2022. — Picture by Ahmad Zamzauri

So, it is curious that Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Muhyiddin Yassin, in saying that his coalition has enough numbers to form the new government with 73 seats, should inform a press conference that PN “has received a letter from the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong from Istana Negara setting the conditions for it to form the next government.”

It was just past 3am, and the full results had yet to be announced by the Election Commission.

In a hung Parliament, Constitutional conventions come into play. (Read Hafiz Hassan, “Uncharted territory”)

There is an old mantra: Don’t drag the King into politics. It needs to be repeated here.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or organisation and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.