Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’s wise words that no one should play up sensitive issues was timely and must be followed by all parties, says Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.

The Selangor Mentri Besar, who was referring to the Selangor Ruler’s statement in a recent interview with The Star, pointed out the Malay Rulers were not only symbolic but played an important role in safeguarding unity among Malaysia’s multi-racial and multi-religious society as well as defending its social contract.

Speaking at the investiture ceremony in conjunction with Sultan Sharafuddin’s 72nd birthday, Azmin said the Rulers were the catalysts that bound the people together in peace, prosperity and harmony.

Azmin said while the people defended the constitutional monarchy, they cannot accept the immunity of the Rulers being extended to the government.

He said any immunity of the executive was a desecration against the Federal Constitution.

“Executive immunity was a gross violation of the letter and spirit of the Constitution,’’ he said.

Azmin said the people looked to the Council of Rulers to defend them against the greed for power, which would only result in destruction.

Later after the event, Azmin said communal unity and peace were the state’s assets and was in line with Selangor’s policies, which benefited everyone.

Speaking on another matter, Azmin said former de facto law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim should assume responsibility for remarks that aggrieved the Selangor Sultan.

Zaid tweeted that Sultan Sharafuddin should be “careful” with his remarks as everyone would be affected if “the country burns”.

It is believed that Zaid, who is currently a DAP member, was responding to the Sultan’s remarks in The Star that former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad “will burn the whole country with his anger”.

In the same interview, the Selangor Ruler also hit out at Dr Mahathir for implying that the Bugis were pirates.

On the “Daulat Tuanku” rally held in Shah Alam on Saturday, Azmin said everyone had the right to assemble if it was done in a correct manner. “This is a democratic society. Anyone can express their views.”

Barisan Nasional component parties and non-governmental organisations took part in the rally to record their support for Sultan Sharafuddin and to pressure Dr Mahathir and Zaid to apologise.

Source:
courtesy of THE STAR

by Wani Muthiah

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