SELANGOR WITH MALAYSIAKINI: MB dan Sultan Shafaruddin

Khalid has said the right thing in the right tone....

Selangor MB Agrees With Sultan's Views

SHAH ALAM, Feb 14 (Bernama) -- Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim today said he agreed with the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah's reminder for the people to think carefully before resorting to actions which challenged the rights, role and position of the rulers as guaranteed under the Federal Constitution.

"I agree with the Sultan of Selangor's views in reminding the people that the federal constitutional system and state constitutional system are the constitutional monarchy system.

"The Sultan has given a clear message to the people on acceptable ways and decorum in communicating and interacting with the rulers or palace," Khalid told reporters after handing over the prizes to winners of Stage 6 of the Le Tour de Langkawi cycling event, here, today.

Khalid was asked about the Selangor Sultan's statement yesterday in which the Sultan expressed sadness and disappointment over what he regarded as rudeness towards the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, following the ruler's consent for the formation of a new Perak state government recently.

The Selangor Sultan also reminded the people not to be misled by those who were willing to take high risks through their display of rudeness, treachery, arrogance, ignorance of knowledge and lust for power.

Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the Sultan's statement and sadness and disappointment over what happened in Perak would surely be shared by the other rulers, while the opposition's actions had also gone against the spirit of the Perak State Constitution and Federal Constitution.

"The position of the Malay rulers is stipulated in the constitution. So, loyal citizens should respect their decisions like that made by the Perak Sultan, and not resort to actions which can tarnish the image and dignity of the rulers," he said after officiating at a golf championship organised by the International Trade and Industry Ministry, here, today.

When asked about DAP chairman Karpal Singh's view that his move to sue the Perak Sultan was allowed under the law and that the ruler was aware of it, Muhyiddin said it was Karpal's personal opinion.

"We all know that the Perak Sultan is a former Lord President and this fact cannot be belittled. The Sultan would know how to interpret the provisions in Perak State Constitution, which allows him to use his discretion.

In JOHOR BAHARU, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said people should take note of the Selangor Sultan's views over rude behaviour such as the unruly street demonstrations in protest of the Perak Sultan's decision.

He said every citizen of this country, especially the political leaders, should realise that the country had a constitution and that they should respect the rule of law.

"As leaders, we should understand the constitution better. We must separate emotions from the law. If we act on emotions, it is not good for the country," he said when launching a carnival organised by an association of owners of gas-powered vehicles, here, today.

On the arrest of four Umno leaders, including supreme council member Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo for taking part in a demonstration against DAP chairman Karpal Singh yesterday, Shahrir said there should be no more street demonstrations.

"The police need to disperse demonstrators if they only serve to up the tension. A politician taking part in a street demonstration should face the risk of being place in a police lock-up," he said.

Meanwhile, the Cheras Umno division will send a memorandum to the Conference of Malay Rulers on Monday to appeal for the convening of a special meeting "to discuss the actions of certain groups of late which threaten the country's constitutional monarchy system".

Division head Datuk Syed Ali AlHabshee said in Kuala Lumpur that the special meeting was necessary as these groups had displayed insolent behaviour and were testing the patience of the Malays over the rights and authority of the Malay rulers.

Speaking to reporters after a gathering to show loyalty to the rulers held at the Cheras Recreation Centre today, Syed Ali said insolence was clearly demonstrated by DAP chairman Karpal Singh's move to sue the Perak Sultan over the appointment of Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir as the new Perak Menteri Besar.

He called for stern action to be taken against the DAP leader, including invoking the Internal Security Act.

-- BERNAMA

Selangor MB Agrees With Sultan's Views
Bernama