Malaysia’s rulers vs Abdullah: Who’s the winner?

Now that it has become public, the question before 25 million Malaysians is: Who is likely to prevail in a confrontation between Malaysia’s Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and the 13-state Southeast Asian federation’s nine hereditary rulers over the constitutional role of the king. (See In Malaysia, the king asserts his power) 

King Mizan Zainal Abidin, 45, the 13^th Yang di Pertuan Agong or supreme ruler, says his role isn’t purely ceremonial. Abdullah, however, says the king has no right to meddle in his administration.

Last night Raja Nazrin Shah, the crown prince of northern Perak state, told his audience at a public lecture in Kuala Lumpur, the national capital, that Abdullah is wrong. 

Malaysia’s rulers openly confront their premier

A confrontation between Malaysia’s nine hereditary rulers and their Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is now in the open: Raja Nazrin: Monarchy an integral part of nation

The Star today carries a Bernama report which says:

He (Raja Nazrin) said the Federal Constitution mandates the monarchy to be the guardian of the just rule of law, an impartial arbiter in the democratic process and an overseer of the pillars of state.  “Some believe that Rulers are supposed to do so in a purely ceremonial sense, but I would argue that this contradicts the true spirit, if not the letter, of the Federal Constitution,” he said. 

I reported that Malaysia is facing its worst constitutional crisis in my article, In Malaysia, the king asserts his power, on 28 August: 

Watch out for my next report.