Criticism not meant to interfere in Selangor govt affairs, says sultan

Selangor’s Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah says that his views, criticism and concerns on matters relating to the state administration are not intended to interfere in the affairs of the state government.

Instead, Sultan Sharafuddin said these matters were raised to ensure the people’s welfare and wellbeing remained a top priority.

“I do not want the people to view my criticism as a dispute or conflict between me and the government. Instead, I want every criticism to be seen as part of my responsibility to ensure the state administration always looks after the people’s interests and Selangor’s future.

“What saddens me is that the criticisms or royal pronouncements have been misinterpreted by certain quarters and a handful of politicians, as though I intend to interfere in the affairs of the state government or practise absolute monarchy,” Sultan Sharafuddin said.

The sultan was speaking at a ceremony for the conferment of Selangor state honours in conjunction with the silver jubilee of the ruler’s reign at the Balairung Seri of Istana Alam Shah here today.

Sultan Sharafuddin said he was fully conversant with the law and understood the extent of his role and responsibilities under the constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy practised in Malaysia and Selangor.

“All this while, I have discharged my duties as ruler in accordance with the trust and responsibilities vested in me, and I believe that every party entrusted with responsibilities in the government has its respective duties, which must be respected and carried out with full integrity.

“To my government, I urge you to work hard to achieve success and progress in all fields. I want to see Selangor continue to develop as a progressive and competitive state with a high level of modernisation and a knowledgeable, accomplished population, while continuing to uphold religious values, good manners and humanity,” he said.