‘BUGIS’ SLUR DRAWS SULTAN’S IRE
THE Sultan of Selangor is incensed by the ‘Bugis’ remarks by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. The Selangor Council of the Royal Court, after meeting the sultan, feels that a sedition probe against the former premier is warranted.
THE Sultan of Selangor is incensed with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for his derogatory remarks against the Bugis community. In a statement, Selangor Coun- cil of the Royal Court secretary Hanafisah Jais said Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah met the royal council yesterday, adding that the ruler viewed the former prime minister’s statement with grave concern and disappointment.
Hanafisah said council members, after meeting the ruler, were of the view that a sedition probe against Dr Mahathir was warranted.
She said Dr Mahathir’s statement, delivered at the “Sayangi Malaysia, Hapuskan Kleptokrasi” rally organised by Pakatan Harapan in Petaling Jaya on Oct 14, was aimed at inciting hatred, feelings of insult and other negative perceptions against the Bugis community by calling them pirates, robbers and criminals.
“The Selangor Council of the Royal Court deems the speech extreme and could spark hate and prejudice against the Bugis, causing riots and chaos.”
She said Dr Mahathir had also insulted the Bugis ancestry of the Selangor Sultanate.
“History shows that the Selangor Sultanate has Bugis ancestry. The Bugis were warriors who fought and defended their religion and maintained peace across the Malay archipelago.
“Dr Mahathir, as a former prime minister who governed the country for 22 years, should have been more cautious with his remarks and should be more knowledgeable about Bugis history.”
She said Sultan Sharafuddin reminded the public, especially politicians, not to use race and ancestry issues as political tools as this could undermine the harmony and unity of the people.
Dr Mahathir has come under fire, at home and abroad, for his remarks at the rally when he said Malaysia had a leader who descended from “Bugis pirates”.
Police reports had been lodged by the Bugis in Malaysia.