’ÊÊKUALA LUMPUR— Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad declined to comment today on PPBM leader Datuk A. Kadir Jasin’s assertion that the government allocated RM257 million for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong since January last year.
Responding to the media after the weekly Cabinet meeting, he said he could not give his views on the matter before he has a chance to review Kadir’s blog entry.
“I have not seen the article, I only heard the story. I have to study it first, then I will tell you,” the prime minister said.
Kadir used the figure to convey that the Malay Rulers’ welfare and interests were completely protected, when commenting on the now-resolved dispute over the appointment of Tommy Thomas as Attorney General (AG).
He did not state the source of his information regarding federal spending on the royals. According to the Treasury, the government allocates RM13.5 million annually for the Agong.
The Agong and the federal government were reportedly in disagreement over the nomination of a non-Malay candidate to be AG.
However, Sultan Muhammad V gave his royal assent yesterday for Thomas to replace Tan Sri Apandi Ali in the role. – MALAY MAIL
I’ve not seen the article – Dr M on ‘RM257m for Agong
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he has not seen the article which claims the federal government allocated RM256.9 million from January 2017 to this April for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“I have not seen the article. I thought it was only a story. I have to review it,” he told a press conference in Putrajaya this afternoon.
Mahathir was asked about an article penned by Bersatu supreme leader and veteran newsman A Kadir Jasin.
Commenting on the controversy surrounding the appointment of constitutional expert Tommy Thomas as attorney-general, Kadir said the rulers were confident and assured about their position.
“Why shouldn’t they? They are guaranteed by the (federal) constitution, lavishly provided for, wealthy and even Anwar (Ibrahim) kissed their hands.
“For 16 months to April this year, a total of RM256.9 million had been allocated to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for purposes of accommodation, residence and palace, personal items, aircraft and transportation, training and escort equipment, clothing and ceremonial items, gifts and souvenirs, overseas visits and salaries of palace staff,” he wrote on his blog.
Kadir, however, did not state the source of his information regarding federal spending on the royals.
According to the Treasury, the government only allocates RM13.5 million annually for the Agong.
Kadir meanwhile also noted that, like all Malaysians, the rulers were also bound by the Federal Constitution.
The constitution was also the very document from which the Agong derives his powers and authority, he noted.
“The constitution that guarantees the right of the homeless pauper who languishes in the back lane of Chow Kit also guarantees the right of the king who lives in the gleaming RM650 million Istana Negara,” said Kadir.
He pointed out that during Mahathir’s first tenure as prime minister, the Federal Constitution was amended in 1993 to clarify the extent of the rulers’ immunity as a measure to “further protect the royal institution”.
Initial speculations over Thomas’ appointment as attorney-general was reportedly marked by a purported disagreement between the federal government and the palace over the choice of a non-Malay candidate.
Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V yesterday, however, gave his royal assentto appoint Thomas, replacing Mohamed Apandi Ali. – – M’kini
MALAY MAIL / MKINI
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.