In February 2009, when Bukit Lanjan state assemblyman Elizabeth Wong was embroiled in a controversy over the “invasion of her privacy”, the Sultan of Selangor, Sharafuddin Idris Shah, expressed unhappiness that someone was ‘out to destroy a person’s dignity and reputation’.
Khalid Ibrahim, the Mentri Besar of Selangor, sought an audience with the Sultan, to inform His Royal Highness on the political development and the issue which involved Wong.
The Sultan’s private secretary, Mohamad Munir Bani issued the following statement on behalf of HRH. An excerpt reads:-
It is His Royal Highness’ stance as the Sultan of Selangor to be above politics. His Royal Highness believes that whatever decision that is going to be made by the Mentri Besar will be made with accurateness, fairness and with wisdom by taking into consideration the interest of the rakyat ,in particular and the State of Selangor generally.
Past president of Transparency International, Ramon Navaratnam, echoed the impartiality of the Sultan in politics.
He said, “Tradition dictates that royalty should rise above politics. The spirit of our Constitution requires that our Rulers stay above politics. There is no doubt the Rulers can be very powerful agents for positive change, and in this case, the positive change would mean encouraging maximum consultation to develop maximum consensus and harmony.”
In February 2009, Prime minister Najib Abdul Razak orchestrated the controversial takeover of the Perak state government. It happened after he took over from disgraced former Perak MB Tajol Rosli Najib to become state Umno liaison chief.
Then, in April 2010, Najib was elevated to the throne of Selangor UMNO liaison chief and at the Kuala Selangor UMNO division meeting on 9 August, boldly declared to “win back Selangor”.
Najib is desperate. His political future hangs in the balance. Control of Selangor is critical.
Last month, in an unprecedented move Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Sidek Hassan announced that his candidate, Mohd Khusrin, the former Selangor Islamic Affair’s Department director, would take over as state secretary on 1 January 2011.
This sudden announcement did not include consultation with the menteri besar and resulted in a dispute between the state government and the palace.
Efforts by Khalid Ibrahim to seek an audience with the Sultan with his shortlist of three names, have been unsuccessful.
Private secretary to the Sultan, Mohamad Munir Bani, has allegedly blocked Khalid from meeting the Ruler.
In the first of these ‘political moves’, Munir cancelled Khalid’s audience with the Sultan on 27 December and offered no reason for the cancellation.
Undeterred, Khalid decided to bring it up during his weekly audience with the Sultan which was due to take place on 29 December.
In an unashamedly politically motivated move, this time Munir told Khalid the Sultan had gone overseas.
Munir is now playing a dangerous game and is on the slippery slope of toying with the affection of the Sultan’s subjects towards their ruler.
Munir’s actions risk the good name of royalty.
As everyone is aware, protocol dictates that the Royal calendar is prepared months in advance. Protocol is strictly adhered to, bar sudden events like funerals or large-scale disasters for which the Sultan wants to make an appearance and show his concern for his subjects.
Did Munir think he could get away with this treachery? The Sultan, an innocent party, has been compromised. When Munir lied to Khalid and said that the Sultan was ‘overseas’, there were reports that HRH was allegedly seen bowling in the Kelang Parade.
The Sultan would be mortified to discover Munir’s complicity in deception and political wrangling.
In contrast, the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth gives a weekly audience to the Prime Minister at which she has a right and a duty to express her views on Government matters. If either The Queen or the Prime Minister are not available to meet, then they will speak by telephone. Having expressed her views, The Queen abides by the advice of her ministers.
So has Munir an ulterior motive to prevent an audience between the Sultan and Khalid, the man whom his subjects elected to run His country?
Munir’s actions compromise HRH’s political neutrality. He has embarrassed the Sultan. The Sultan has already said that in matters of state, he is above politics.
Is Munir’s deception an act of treason?
Note: The following is the full statement by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, over the controversy involving Bukit Lanjan state assemblyman Elizabeth Wong, issued by his private secretary, Datuk Mohamad Munir Bani:
I am pleased to inform that Yang Amat Berhormat Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Bin Ibrahim, the Mentri Besar Selangor, has sought an audience with His Royal Highness, The Sultan of Selangor, on Wednesday, 25th February 2009 and duly informed His Royal Highness on the political development and the issue which involved Yang Berhormat Elizabeth Wong Keat Ping, the Selangor State Assemblyman for Bukit Lanjan who is also the State Selangor Exco Member.
His Royal Highness, The Sultan of Selangor, has commanded me to inform that His Royal Highness could not offer any guidance or advice to the Mentri Besar in the matter related to the issue of Elizabeth Wong as it was still under police investigation and it involved her political position.
It is His Royal Highness’ stance as the Sultan of Selangor to be above politics. His Royal Highness believes that whatever decision that is going to be made by the Mentri Besar will be made with accurateness, fairness and with wisdom by taking into consideration the interest of the rakyat ,in particular and the State of Selangor generally.
His Royal Highness is upset and worried as of late the intrusion of someone’s privacy and private rights was being used to destroy one’s dignity and reputation. It is a sad thing as one’s life and private rights were being made public and subject to public scrutiny by publicising in the mass media.
To Elizabeth Wong, His Royal Highness felt sad and sympathised with her as to the unfortunate event she had suffered and hoped that she will remain calm and be patient in continuing with her life henceforth.- Malaysia Chronicle
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