He was commenting on Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi refusing to answer questions, reported by the media on Sunday, on why the NSC (National Security Council) Bill was gazetted without the Agong’s assent. “He passed the buck to Nancy Shukri – de facto Law minister — to answer.”

“This is most disgraceful. The Rulers wanted the Act reviewed.”

It was utterly unacceptable for Zahid to push questions concerning the NSC Bill to Nancy Shukri when he holds the position of Deputy Prime Minister, added Gooi. “He sits in the all-powerful National Security Council together with the Prime Minister.”

“Zahid’s refusal to answer was tantamount to a headmaster asking the school janitor to explain, to parents, the school’s problems.”

If the Deputy Prime Minister wants to shirk his responsibility to his junior minister, said the MP, he should resign immediately and let Nancy Shukri take over his position. He reminded Zahid that the passing into law of the NSC Bill, without the Agong’s assent, was no laughing matter.

Since before and after independence, the special position of the Rulers have been respected and held in high regard by all Malaysians, regardless of race, pointed out Gooi.

Regrettably, he said, under Umno’s rule, the dignity and powers of the Rulers have been continuously challenged and whittled down by various constitutional amendments in the past. “The act of gazetting the NSC Bill, sidelining the Rulers in the process, was the latest example of Umno’s failure to uphold the dignity of the Rulers. It shows a lack of respect for them.”

This “contemptuous act” pales in comparison to the recent case of the teenager jailed for one year for insulting the Johor sultan’s family in Facebook, said Gooi.