KUALA LUMPUR, March 7 — Malaysian politicians must cease their confrontational politics that is putting the country on the path to destruction, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah said today.

In his opening address at the third session of the 14th parliamentary sitting this morning, the ruler also urged lawmakers to put aside their differences that he said were motivated by personal interests.

“I hope all the honourable members of parliament will cease politicking over narrow interests as this has dragged on too long and is wearing on the public,” Tuanku Abdul Halim said.

“In a parliamentary democracy, we can have differences of opinion. Celebrate that space, but not for mutual degradation, enmity and false allegations that will lead the country toward destruction.”

The Yang Di-Pertuan Agong further urged politicians to stop damaging the country’s reputation in international community.

Malaysia has been mired in controversies linked to 1Malaysia Development Bhd and the RM2.6 billion deposited into the prime minister’s accounts prior to Election 2013.

The Attorney-General has declared that he has detected no wrongdoing on both matters, although Putrajaya’s rivals and critics insist otherwise.

Last week, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad spearheaded a so-called “Citizens Declaration” to demand the removal of Datuk Seri Najib Razak over the related controversies.

Before that, former deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was also suspended as deputy Umno president over his continued open attacks against the party leadership.