PETALING JAYA, Mar 6 – The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj today expressed his disappointment and regret towards Malays in this state who were divided due to political differences.

Officiating the reconstruction of the Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Aziz, Taman Templer today, the Sultan felt it was worrying that the Malays were not united.

“There is a Malay saying, “Takkan Melayu Hilang Di Dunia”, but considering the current discord among Malays, will they really continue to be here in generations to come?

“Of course the answer is that they will, but what is the use if they are not civilised or respected and can be used and manipulated,” he said.

He also reminded the Malays that history proved the country’s independence was achieved through great understanding and unity among the Malays.

Sultan Sharafuddin was also disappointed at recent calls questioning the status of the Malays and Malay Kings which had been published in the electronic and print media lately.

He said, this issue had been agreed upon before this country achieved its independence and had been written in both State and Federal Constitutions..

“What saddens me even more is that this issue was brought up by rude, uncouth Malays who are not even ashamed of it,” he said.

He said, the Malays who had previously been taught to always be polite, respect their culture, and understand one another, were now constantly at loggerheads, forgetting their roots and manners just because they wished to ascend to power to the extent that they would sell everything they stood for.
 
He added, if the Malays continued to be suspiscious of one another it would lead to negative thoughts and actions among the people.

“I call upon my beloved people of Selangor to stay calm and think carefully about what has happened, and ask themselves,  do they want to continue to have the peace and prosperity that we have today?,” he said.

He also disapproved of strife and people who longer cared for their customs and common courtesy, as well as those who disregarded the law which would cause the state to become nothing more than a backward third world country.

The Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Aziz which was officiated by his father, Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah on October 23 1964, was reconstructed on August 8 2006.

The new building has been used since August 20 2008 and can accommodate 4,000 people compared to 300 people previously.

The mosque’s reconstruction involved a cost of RM10.6 million through allocations from the federal and state government as well as public contribution. – NOOR ALLIA KASSIM