Malaysian King Hopes Parliament Will To Uphold Supremacy Of Constitution

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 7 (Bernama) -- King Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin hopes that the Malaysian Parliament will continue to uphold the supremacy of the Federal Constitution, especially with regard to the position of the Malay rulers, Islam as the federal religion and the Malay language as the national language. Describing the august house as an institution that conveyed the voice of the people, his Majesty said the Lower House of Parliament had played its role effectively to achieve the objective of emerging as a developed nation with a high income. Tuanku Mizan said, "I understand at times the situation in Parliament can be most challenging. But such a situation had been wisely handled by the both the Senate President and the Lowr House Speaker as well as the tolerant attitude by members of both houses." Tuanku Mizan said the tolerant and responsible attitude adopted by members of both houses played an important role in ensuring that the Malaysian Parliament could play an important function as the country's main legislative institution. His Majesty said this at a royal banquet in conjunction with the conclusion of his reign as the 13th King at the Putra World Trade Centre here Tuesday night. Earlier the King and Queen Tuanku Nur Zahirah were greeted on arrival by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, Lower House of Parliament Speaker Pandikar Aman Mulia, and Senate President Abu Zahar Ujang. The farewell banquet was also attended by members of both houses from the ruling party as well as the opposition. The royal couple as well as the other dignitaries were entertained by Radio Televisyen Malaysia orchestra as well as famous local artists, including Jamal Abdillah, Atilia and Mila AF. On Oct 14, the Sultan of Kedah, Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah was chosen to be the 14th King by the Conference of Rulers at a special meeting at National Palace to succeed Tuanku Mizan. -- BERNAMA