The Agong is no puppet, minister tells Anwar

Urban Well-being, Housing and Local Government Minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan has hit out at Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim for suggesting that the government had used the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's speech to get the people to accept last month's general election results.

While conceding that the government indeed had a hand in preparing theAgong's speech, Rahman (left) said the Agong could still change its content if he disagreed with it.

"Do not label the Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong as the government's puppet. That is foolish.

"Even though the Agong receives input from the government on his speech text, His Majesty can change it as he likes. But if that is his speech, then that is exactly what he meant," Rahman said in a series of postings on Twitter.

Using himself as an example, he said his press secretary drafts speeches for him, but he has every right to change them.

"But when I do not change it, then it is what I mean," Rahman said.

Anwar said earlier today that he appreciated the Agong's speech calling for everyone to accept the general election results, but pointed out that the speech was in fact prepared by the Prime Minister's Department.

"While we do appreciate the remarks of the Agong, we also understand tat the text is prepared by the government and we have a prime minister who is desperate to solicit support from any possible quarter," Anwar had said.