Role Of Sultan Not Limited To Ceremonial And Official Events - Selangor Sultan

KLANG, Sept 26 (Bernama) -- The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, today reminded the people that the role of the Sultan is not only limited to ceremonial and official events, but also to see that the state and its people achieve true peace and prosperity.

He said the Sultan had the very heavy responsibility of ensuring that the people in the state could enjoy a good quality of life, but certain politicians just could not understand the role and power of the monarchy or just refused to understand it because they had a hidden agenda.

"As the people have not been given enough information to be able to understand the actual functions of the Sultan, they think the royal ruler is just a symbol without any role and power under the State Constitution."

Sultan Sharafuddin said this at the swearing-in of the new state executive council line-up and presentation of instruments of appointment to them at the Throne Room of Istana Alam Shah, here.

The Sultan said he had never interfered in the state's administration led by the menteri besar and would only offer his advice should there exist a major problem affecting the people.

As such, he called on the newly-appointed state executive councillors to give undivided support to new Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali by setting aside their differences and focusing on using their expertise, energy and experience to serve the people sincerely.

The Sultan said he did not want to see the people of Selangor to be in a chaotic environment to the extent of living in fear and misery.

Sultan Sharafuddin also regarded the crisis in Selangor Pakatan Rakyat as having started with the "Kajang Move", in the attempt to remove Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim from the post of menteri besar.

The menteri besar crisis, he said, had opened his eyes, heart and mind on the state's political situation.

He also rapped Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) for continuing the insults and condemnation during the holy month of Ramadan in order to force Abdul Khalid to step down.

The Sultan said the appointment of the new state executive council members had to be done after PKR and DAP had no confidence in the leadership of Abdul Khalid, who was appointed as menteri besar after the 13th general election.

"I pray to Allah that with the appointment of the new Selangor menteri besar, the parties which had been given the mandate to administer the state, will be able to work together to govern the state with honesty and sincerity for the benefit and wellbeing of the people.

"The people have high hopes in living in the rich and developed state of Selangor, and of being able to enjoy all the prosperity," he said.

Sultan Sharafuddin also called on the Malays not to be divided and condemn each other as it would only lead to disunity and destruction.

He thanked Abdul Khalid for having successfully discharged his duties as menteri besar and having established good relations with the palace.

Sultan Sharafuddin also expressed his appreciation to the people for their support for him during the menteri besar crisis, and to the mainstream media for publishing all statements from the palace.