SHAH ALAM, Nov 23 (Bernama) -- The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah said the ruler's sovereignty is the protector or umbrella for the people so that they are not mistreated by certain quarters.

"The absence of a ruler's sovereignty means a lack of authority which acts as the last bulwark against elements which seek to divide the people's unity and the government's stability," he said at 'Wacana Kedaulatan Raja - Warisan Yang Mesti Dipertahankan', a discourse on the ruler's sovereignty here today.

Three elements namely the people, government and the ruler could not be separated, just like parts of the body which had its strength and would suffer if separated.

"I urge the people and leaders to always safeguard the ruler's sovereignty and the law so that the successes achieved can be enjoyed by future generations," the Sultan said.

He said the people of Selangor who comprised various races, religious background and customs were free to choose their way of life as long as they were in accordance with the law.

"The Selangor Sultan's sovereignty can only be attained if the people live in peace, prosperity and harmony while the Selangor state government develops rapidly and progressively to compete globally.

"If one of the elements is lame or malfunctions, if there is no harmony or progress, then Selangor will become backward, chaotic and the Sultan's sovereignty will also disappear," the Sultan said.

He said orang besar daerah, penghulus, ketuas kampung, imams and nazirs should inform the people that one of the functions of the ruler.

This was to ensure that the state administration was run smoothly, and fairly so that the people could enjoy the state's prosperity.

"In other words, it acts as a check and balance to the state government administration," the Sultan said.

He said orang besar daerah were his representatives at district level and were charged with informing the people of his commands and to bring the people's problems to him.

"Although problems brought to my attention can be handled by the government, but as the ruler, I need to know the people's grievances, not only big and sensational news."

He said penghulus, ketuas kampung, imams and nazirs should get close to the people as orang besar daerah could not possibly listen to all the grievances.

"Although there are specific state government officers, they are only charged with facilitating the administration of agencies."

The Sultan said penghulus, ketuas kampung, imams and nazirs were responsible for ensuring that their charges live in harmony and that mosques and suraus were not misused.

He urged them to explain to the people on the functions of a constitutional monarch and not to doubt the sovereignty which had to be defended.

"I like to advice orang besar daerah, penghulus, ketuas kampung, imams and nazirs to get close to the people, serve with transparency and honesty and not to take advantage of their posts for personal interest," he said.

The one day discourse, an idea of the Sultan himself, was organised by the Selangor state government.

Speakers include historian Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Khoo Kay Kim, lawyer Datuk Salehuddin Saidin and Datuk Prof Dr Ramlah Adam of Universiti Teknologi MARA.