Former Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo and Ditamas Sdn Bhd director Shamsuddin Haryoni's  honorific titles were suspended by the Selangor Sultan in view of their ongoing graft trial.

According to state secretary Mohammed Khusrin Munawi, the decision was made on Tuesday, during the 129th meeting of the royal council.

"The Selangor Sultan made this decision (to suspend their titles) after giving due consideration that the charges against the two are serious and involves public and national interest," said Khusrin.

azlanKhir was awarded the 'Dato Seri' title in 2001 while Shamsuddin was awarded the 'Dato' title in 2002. 

The suspensions will be reviewed once the court rules that the duo are not guilty and acquitted, Khusrin said in a statement.

His statement comes a day after Khir wrote on his blog that he had informed the royal council of his wish to "surrender" the title "temporarily" in mid-December, soon after he was charged.

Khir said he had done so to avoid embarrassing the title during the course of the trial.

'It makes me sound like a cheat'

In an immediate response, the former MB however took offence to Khusrin’s statement that “the returning of the titles... is actually the instructions of the sultan and not a 'temporary suspension' such as that indicated by him (Khir)”.

“I am not sure if those are Khushrin’s actual words... if it is, he should clarify with His Majesty’s private secretary, because his denial of my statement makes me sound like a cheat or a liar,” said Khir in a statement today.

He however said that it was unimportant whether the decision had something to do with his letter to the council, and stressed that he accepted the decision graciously.

On Dec 6, Khir was charged under Section 165 of the Penal Code for knowingly accepting a bribe, in the form of land in Section 7, Shah Alam, at a heavily discounted price, where his lavish mansion now sits.

Shamsuddin is the alleged seller in this transaction and he has been charged under the same law. He is facing another charge of abetting Khir.

After being charged, Khir, who is the Sungai Besar state assemblyperson, resigned as Selangor opposition leader. He was also suspended from all his positions in Umno.