SULTAN of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has accepted Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor’s apology for making offensive remarks against the ruler last year.
In a letter responding to Sanusi’s apology, the Selangor ruler said he forgave the Jeniri assemblyman “in the name of Muslim brotherhood and race”, adding he did not want Muslims to harbour enmity towards one another.
“As Muslims, we should always forgive one another if the one asking for forgiveness is sincere in apologising,” he said in the letter released by the Selangor Royal Office on Thursday (Sept 26).
“I want to take this opportunity to advise you to always be mindful of your words and behaviour, and not to be too emotional or to use unsavoury words in speaking to the people, especially when in Selangor.”
According to Sultan Sharafuddin, he did not want the people, especially his subjects in Selangor, to be influenced or become accustomed to hearing abusive language or baseless allegation from leaders.
His Highness also reminded Sanusi, who is also the PAS election director, that being mindful of the way he spoke and behaved would augur well for his political career.
“As a leader, you must think about the effects of every action you make. Lastly, I hope that you will continue to succeed in carrying out your duties and responsibilities,” he said.
Yesterday (Sept 25) Sanusi issued a public apology to Sultan Sharafuddin over his “disrespectful” remarks made during the state election in July last year.
Sanusi expressed deep remorse for any discomfort and offence his comments may have caused the Sultan and clarified that there was no intention to mock or dishonour His Highness, whom he held in high regard.
Sanusi’s apology comes days before case management of his sedition case over the statement in the Selayang Sessions Court tomorrow, and more than 14 months after the speech was made.
“I realise that when visiting other states, in my case, when I was in Selangor, I should not have uttered remarks that were disrespectful, insulting and impolite, even though the speech was made in the heat of the election campaign,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Sanusi, who is also the PAS election director, landed in hot water after allegedly belittling the Sultan of Selangor for having appointed Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari as menteri besar.
He had previously sent a letter of apology to the Sultan shortly after his speech, including what he says is an explanation of how the speech had been “spun” by Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) to defame him.
He had said the letter was sent to the Selangor palace as he needed to explain his side of the story, claiming that parts of his speech on July 11 were “deliberately twisted”.
However on July 17, the Sultan decreed that the matter was not resolved despite the apology by Sanusi.
Sanusi was charged a day later with making the seditious remarks but had pleaded not guilty. – Sept 26, 2024
Main image: Kosmo!
