Unlike PN, Anwar's govt won't ruffle royal feathers: PM's aide

Unlike the Perikatan Nasional government, the current administration is not willing to ruffle the feathers of the rulers, according to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s political aide.

On the same note, Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim called former premier Muhyiddin Yassin, who inferred that his boss could be an “idiot”, of suffering from an “unsound mind” (biul).

Speaking to Malaysiakini, Kamil (above, right) said the PN chairperson failed to comprehend the functions of the Pardons Board with regard to the debate over the prospect of jailed former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak being placed under house arrest.

“As a former prime minister, (Muhyiddin) is rather ‘biul’ and it is embarrassing if he does not understand the role and functions of the Pardons Board as well as the prerogative of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

“Understand the Constitution and don’t rely on prepared texts,” he added.

Earlier, Muhyiddin chastised Anwar over his response to the Agong’s alleged “addendum order” for Najib to undergo house arrest.

“It is weird and out of the ordinary when the prime minister says he didn’t know when asked about the addendum for Najib.

“How come the prime minister does not know (of such an important matter)? If the prime minister indeed does not know, it means that he really is an idiot,” he said.

No interference

Meanwhile, Kamil also defended the government’s stand that it would not interfere in matters related to the Agong and the Conference of Rulers.

“This is the difference between Muhyiddin’s government and the current government which upholds and respects the royal institution.

“All decisions are made through proper procedures and according to the Federal Constitution.

“This is unlike the actions of the Muhyiddin government, which incurred the displeasure of His Majesty by revoking Emergency Ordinances,” he added.

In July 2021, the Agong expressed disappointment that Muhyiddin’s cabinet decided to revoke the Emergency Ordinances - concerning the Covid-19 pandemic - promulgated during the state of emergency without his consent.

At the time, Anwar, who was the opposition leader, criticised Muhyiddin’s administration for not following procedure and insulting the king.

Kamil said it is possible that the current government could also court the Agong’s displeasure if the prime minister went against the powers of the monarch with regard to Najib’s pardon.

“This involves the prerogative powers of the Agong and the current government will never intervene (in such matters),” he added.