Kedah Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah said he has never been more concerned about race relations in the country since ascending to the throne close to six decades ago.
 
"I have been on the throne for 57 years. Even though I have witnessed many incidents, I have never been this worried about race and religious relations, which are becoming brittle," he is quoted as saying in Alor Setar yesterday by Utusan Malaysia.
 
Tuanku Abdul Halim, who is also the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, was speaking in his capacity as the Kedah sultan.
 
His text was read out by Kedah Regency Council chairperson Sallehuddin Badlishah.
 
The sultan warned that free speech without limits may court a reactionary response.
 
"Freedom of speech without limits will invite reactions from quarters that are offended.
 
"If the people love peace and harmony like I do, then use this freedom prudently," he said.
 
"The federal constitution is clearly created to avoid conflict among the people," he was quoted as saying.
 
Sultan Abdul Halim, 87, ascended to the Kedah throne in 1958, a year after the country's independence.