The role of the royal institution is not just "ceremonial", says Selangor’s Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.

Hitting out at critics in the wake of the menteri besar crisis, the sultan said his role in the state is to safeguard peace and prosperity of the state and its residents.

"As the rakyat were not made to understand the real functions of the sultan, the rakyat now believe that the royal institution is just a symbol, without any role or power under the Selangor constitution.

"I believe there are politicians who do not understand the role and powers of the royal institution, or they willfully misunderstand as I am convinced they have a different agenda," the ruler said.

The hard-hitting speech, delivered at the swearing-in ceremony of the new state executive council (exco) members, was also highly critical of the conduct of Pakatan Rakyat parties during the crisis.

"This menteri besar crisis has opened my heart and mind, and shaped my views on the Selangor political situation.

"Politicians come and go. They serve for five years and can be replaced at the next general election, but I rule Selangor until the end of my life," Sultan Sharafuddin said.

Referring to the crisis, he said he chose the new menteri besar with the sole purpose of maintaining stability, prosperity and harmony in the state and thanked all who supported him and had faith in his decision.

The sultan explained that his duty was to ensure a high standard of living and development for the state and that he does not "meddle" in the running of the state administration.

"I advise the menteri besar only on issues that have the potential to cause hardship to the rakyat," he added.

Constitutional experts have questioned the outcome of the Selangor menteri besar crisis after the sultan’s move to appoint PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali, who was not chosen by his party.

The experts say the sultan’s role is to appoint as menteri besar the person who has the majority support of the state legislative assembly.

PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail was not appointed despite garnering support from 30 out of the 56 assemblypersons.

Wan Azizah withdrew her candidacy when the palace issued an appointment letter to Azmin, prompting PKR and DAP assemblypersons to shift their support to Azmin.

Read the full speech here


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