SHAH ALAM, February 14 – Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim today said he agreed with the opinion of the DYMM Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj that the people of this country must respect the Federal Constitution including the role of the royal institution.

The Dato’ Menteri Besar said the Sultan in his statement yesterday had given his opinion on how the system of the constitutional monarchy is practised in Malaysia.

“I agree with Tuanku as it serves to remind Malaysians that this country practises a constitutional monarchy and the constitution of Selangor itself is also such, therefore discipline (is necessary) in the sense of how to communicate and interact with the palace,” he said to reporters when met after giving prizes to winners of the sixth stage of Le Tour de Langkawi from Batang Kali to Shah Alam, this afternoon.

The Sultan of Selangor in a special statement yesterday said he was extremely saddened and disappointed with the political developments, road demonstrations and disputes between various parties relating to the appointment of a new government in Perak recently, which caused some to act rudely towards the DYMM Paduka Seri Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah.

“The DYMM Paduka Seri Sultan Azlan Shah as I know him is renowned for his wisdom and experience in the legal and judicial field, in keeping with his previous position as the Lord President.

“He and his family also have exceptional backgrounds and academic qualifications, besides being extremely sensitive to the needs of the people, while most of his actions are based on knowledge, syumul considerations and meetings with experts in the related fields,” he said.

He said ignorance towards the provisions of state and federal law, allowing emotions to run riot, bigotry, rudeness and arrogance which blinded them to the rights and powers of the DYMM Paduka Seri Sultan of Perak by those from the state and Malaysians in general, as well as the readiness of certain parties to resort to ‘mob culture’, were most disgraceful.

He also advised those who constantly challenged rights, roles and positions which were guaranteed in the Federal Constitution, including the role of the royal institution, to consider wisely before taking any action.

“Don’t be too easily influenced by actions that will only tarnish our dignity, hinder progress as well as erode the sovereignty of this state by being despicably rude, disloyal, arrogant, ignorant and power-hungry.

“I continue to pray that Allah SWT will further protect us all and award us with intelligence, calmness and harmony, besides guide us in our actions so that we can together lead this country towards further development,” he said in the statement. – NOOR ALLIA KASSIM