By Selangor Journal Team
SHAH ALAM, Feb 29 — Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj has issued a stern rebuke against Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang for his recent uncouth comments disrespecting the Malay Rulers, telling the PAS president to mind his words in the future.
This is according to a letter issued by His Royal Highness’ private secretary Dato’ Muhamad Munir Bani, dated February 27, which was uploaded on the Selangor Royal Office’s Facebook page today.
The letter was addressed to Selangor PAS commissioner Datuk Abdul Halim Tamuri.
In the letter, Munir said His Royal Highness took particular issue with Hadi’s social media post on February 20, where he reminded the Malay Rulers, MPs, state assemblymen, judges, and lawyers not to be too engulfed in worldly interests but to also focus on the afterlife.
This is believed to be in reference to the recent decision by the Federal Court to declare several Kelantan Syariah laws unconstitutional since the Federal Constitution already covers them.
“Hadi’s statement is extremely inappropriate and uncivilised from the aspect of Malay culture, which always respects and maintains manners when advising the Malay Rulers,” he said in the letter.
The Sultan has also taken note of Hadi’s criticism against the judges for supposedly failing to define the Constitution based on Islamic principles.
“All these comments and criticisms can confuse society, particularly the Muslims. In fact, his statement can lead to anxiety and eventually division among the Malays,” Munir said.
The Ruler also cited several past instances in which Hadi had issued statements which appeared to challenge the royal households, including one in March last year where he questioned the Sultan of Terengganu Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin’s decision to ban politicians from giving speeches in mosques.
“Statements like these show his uncouth behaviour and disrespect towards the Malay Rulers as the head of Islam in their respective states. Hadi can be considered to have insulted the position of the Malay Rulers.
“The Sultan has decreed that you (Halim) pass on His Royal Highness’s advice to Hadi to be mindful in the future when issuing statements that can sow discord among the Muslims in the country,” Munir said.
Royals have always protected Islam
He added that if Hadi had examined Sultan Sharafuddin’s remark on the Federal Court’s decision during the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI) meeting on February 15, the PAS president would have understood His Royal Highness’ true meaning in recognising the position of the Federal Constitution and respecting the Apex Court’s ruling.
“In his speech, the Sultan had called for a solution to ensure the state assemblies’ competency to enact Syariah laws can be enhanced under the Federal Constitution to avoid future issues of overlapping powers between the Federal and state governments.
“His Royal Highness also urges the government to increase its efforts to empower Syariah Courts in the states. To this end, the Sultan decreed a special committee be formed to review the matter and make recommendations,” Munir said.
As MKI chairman, Sultan Sharafuddin has constantly strived to empower the management and administration of Islam in Malaysia and stressed the importance for Muslims to unite and avoid bickering.
As the Malay Rulers are sworn to always protect Islam, any parties seeking to advise the royals on matters relating to the faith should do so with the utmost respect and through the proper channels and procedures.
Munir also pointed out that as early as 1957, the Malay Rulers, political parties, and religious bodies were directly involved in negotiating with the British Empire and experts to develop a Constitution that befits Malaysia’s multiculturalism.
As such, for Hadi to question the Constitution, despite being a veteran MP, is baffling.
“Why is he now questioning the Federal Constitution’s position as the supreme law in the country when Islam is already stipulated as the Federal religion?
“Is Hadi no longer respecting the Constitution? Does this not portray him as someone purposely inciting a political polemic for the sake of garnering public support, particularly among the Malay Muslims?
“His Royal Highness has decreed that all politicians and political leaders must not exploit Islam and desecrate its sanctity for their respective political interests,” he said.
