(The Star) - SULTAN Sharafuddin Idris Shah has questioned why the Selangor Government chose to make Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim the state's guest of honour at its 55th Merdeka celebration.
The Sultan found it strange that he, as Ruler of the state, was not given the honour that was accorded to Anwar when the Opposition Leader was not even among the ranks of the state leadership, reported Sinar Harian.
The paper, quoting the Sultan's private secretary Datuk Mohamad Munir Bani, said Anwar also did not hold any official portfolio other than being a state-appointed economic adviser.
“Usually, if Tuanku cannot attend a formal state function, the Mentri Besar acts on his behalf to speak and carry out related official duties.
“So, why was Anwar invited to attend and speak when this is an official state event and not a political function?” he asked regarding the celebration at Dataran Kemerdekaan in Shah Alam on Thursday.
Mohamad Munir said the Ruler was not informed of the event and only received an invitation to grace a tahlil and Yassin recital programme at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque on Friday.
Asked to comment on the matter at a function at Galeri Shah Alam on Saturday, Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim passed the buck to state secretary Datuk Mohamed Khursrin Munawi.
“The state secretariat has always been in charge of the National Day celebrations, while the Mentri Besar's office only has a representative in the organising committee,” he said.
Khalid said he would clarify the situation with the Sultan during his weekly audience with the Ruler on Wednesday.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.