CITIZENS DECLARATION UNLIKELY TO BE DISCUSSED AT CONFERENCE OF RULERS: TENGKU ADNAN

(The Sun Daily) – Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor (pix) said the Conference of Rulers are not likely to discuss matters pertaining to the Citizens’ Declaration as it could be deemed as intervening with the administration.

“Earlier the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had stated that he will not intervene, despite former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad having an audience with him in Alor Star.

“Similarly the Conference of Rulers, I believe will not intervene. Let us not forget that we follow the Federal Constitution with a constitutional monarchy.

“Therefore the Conference of Rulers is aware of the law they have to abide by,” he said after officiating a food and drinks kiosk in Pangsapuri Putra Harmoni in Presint 9, here, today.

His response came after PAS’ Pokok Sena MP Mahfuz Omar was reported on Sunday urging the rulers to acknowledge the declaration.

The 242nd Conference of Rulers will be held from today until Oct 14.

The annual conference is being held to select the next Yang di-Pertuan Agong, as Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah’s five-year term is coming to an end.

Last week, Dr Mahathir admitted that his attempt to convince the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to act on the declaration had failed.

“During the meeting, the King questioned me on the provisions of the law and I explained. However, at the end, I could not convince him,” he had said.

Dr Mahathir, who is now the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairman, claimed the declaration had been screened and 500,000 signatures had been struck out from the declaration, leaving only 1.2 million signatures.

The former premier had met the Agong and handed over the declaration on Sept 16.