By Danial Dzulkifly
KLANG, Aug 21 – Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj has delivered a sharp rebuke towards politicians who made uncouth remarks about the royal institution during the recent state election period, which was marked by intense politicking and personal attacks.
In his address following the oath-taking ceremony and signing of pledge by the Selangor Menteri Besar and state executive councillors, Sultan Sharafuddin lamented that such disrespectful behaviour towards the royal institution had come from elected officials.
“I wish to address incidents involving certain segments of society, namely politicians and their leaders, who have made rude or disrespectful remarks, drawing the royal institution into their political rallies.
“Such incidents have showcased a diminishing respect among some politicians and their members towards the royal institution, which stands as the guardian of Islam, the Malays, and even other ethnic groups.
“Their disrespectful behaviour has overstepped the bounds of the personal values upheld by Muslims, who traditionally abstain from personal attacks,” he stated.
His Royal Highness also reminded these politicians that popularity alone does not grant them the authorisation to attack their opponents merely due to political differences.
“What happened to manners? It is not our culture, the Malay culture, to belittle people publicly. Watch your manners, especially when you are visiting someone else’s state or home,” he said.
With the state election having concluded on August 12, Sultan Sharafuddin reminded his subjects that now is the time to heal and put aside political differences for the sake of harmony and peace.
“We need to unite for the sake of propelling the nation and Selangor further. Respect one another and do not touch on the sensitivity of race, religion and one’s lineage,” he said.
While not mentioning any names, his comments today come just a month after Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor was charged with two counts of sedition over his recent remarks against the royal institution.
According to the first charge sheet, Sanusi had claimed that the Kedah sultanate is the only one in the country with an uninterrupted lineage, in an apparent dig at the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj.
The Perikatan Nasional election director then went on to say that the Sultan of Kedah would not have appointed Selangor menteri besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari to head his state.
As for the second charge, Sanusi had questioned if it was true that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah had decreed for a unity government to be established following the conclusion of the 15th General Election last November.
