Constitution was never changed, says Dr M

Khalid’s administration is seeking to “restore” the powers of the Selangor Sultan. — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 23 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said yesterday the federal constitution has not changed, despite the 1993 amendments that limited the powers of the monarchy.

The former prime minister said the federal constitution has always stated that the prime minister, the chief minister or the mentri besar is to advise the Sultan on matters of government.

“Whether the ruler will take the advice is something else,” Dr Mahathir told reporters after launching the movement Viva Palestina Malaysia here last night.

When asked if he supported the Selangor Pakatan Rakyat (PR) government’s attempts to amend the constitution to return it to the pre-1993 version, Dr Mahathir said: “There is nothing to go back [to]. The constitution has not been changed.”

Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim aims to amend the state constitution in a bid to resolve the ongoing impasse over the appointment of Datuk Mohd Khusrin Munawi as the new state secretary.

He recently said the amendment to the Selangor constitution will ensure powers are restored to the state and the Sultan who shall act on the advice of the mentri besar.

Article 52 Clause 1 of the 1959 Selangor state constitution now states that the Selangor Sultan, upon the recommendation of the “appropriate service commission” shall appoint individuals holding permanent posts as the state secretary, state legal advisor, and state financial officer.

Pakatan Rakyat officials, however, are anticipating defeat in their attempt to amend the constitution.

PR is three seats shy of the two-thirds majority necessary to pass the amendments during the emergency state assembly sitting tomorrow.

Dr Mahathir pointed out yesterday that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong also acted on the counsel of the premier.

“Even now, the Agong acts on the advice of the prime minister,” said Dr Mahathir.

The former PM had limited the powers of the royalty during his administration in 1993.

Khalid has said the emergency state assembly sitting was aimed at spreading awareness that the Selangor Sultan’s and the mentri besar’s powers to appoint the state secretary had been robbed by the federal government.

However, Selangor Umno deputy chief Datuk Noh Omar had claimed that the Chief Secretary to the Government had always sought royal consent before appointing the state secretary.

Noh had also accused Khalid of defying the Sultan by rejecting the Ruler’s consent of Khusrin’s appointment.

On Thursday, Noh further called Khalid treasonous for wanting to “share power with the Sultan” through the amendments. - Malaysian Insider