Zambry: Sultan offended by opposition’s all-black attire

Perak MB says Sultan’s refusal to attend photography was a sign that the opposition’s antics were deemed disrespectful.

IPOH: Perak Menteri Besar Zambry Abdul Kadir said the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, was offended by the antics of the opposition assemblymen who attended yesterday’s opening of the Perak legislative assembly session in black attire.

He said that following the disrespectful behaviour of the opposition elected representatives, the sultan did not attend the photography session and reception after the opening.

“As a ruler, it is not easy for the sultan to express his unhappiness but we understood what the sultan implied and there is no need to ask if he was offended or not,” he told a media conference at the state assembly today.

Zambry said that yesterday was a historic day for the sultan as it was his maiden appearance at the assembly as the 35th Sultan of Perak, and he was in his official royal attire to have the event recorded for the national archives.

“The historic day for the ruler and leaders was marred by the antics of the opposition. Even though they pledged their undivided loyalty and apologised to

the sultan, the damage has been done,” he said.

Apart from that, Zambry said, the action of the opposition in wearing all black as a symbol of protest and solidarity for PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim had angered the people as it had marginalised the real issues. “I consider the incident as reflecting their true attitude and they did not show any remorse over their arrogant and ill-mannered behaviour.

Zambry expressed his disappointment when the opposition assemblymen attempted to defend themselves by clarifying the situation.

“I was very disappointed when they tried to defend themselves over their mistake. I mentioned that yesterday was a historic day for the sultan, yet the opposition said they did not infringe on any code of ethics with their show of protest.

“If they were truly sincere and had wanted to protest, why choose yesterday and not today. I consider it the lamest excuse,” he said.

The assembly will sit again tomorrow.

- BERNAMA