‘Dr M egoistic, arrogant in Selangor royal awards snub’

KLANG: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s move to return his royal state awards to Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah is nothing more than an act of retaliation.

Klang Umno division chief Datuk Nasaruddin M. Zin said it was inappropriate of the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairman and his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, to return the awards on Dec 7.

He believed that Dr Mahathir did so after Sultan Sharafuddin expressed his displeasure over the former’s alleged offensive remarks against the Bugis community.

“Dr Mahathir should accept the sultan’s remarks because the sultan made the statement in the interest of peace and harmony.

“Why does Dr Mahathir feel that it is okay for him to criticise others but not when he is the one being criticised?” Nasaruddin told the New Straits Times.

He said it was evident that Dr Mahathir was demonstrating his displeasure with Sultan Sharafuddin.

“If that wasn’t the case, then Dr Mahathir should return all state awards conferred on him by other rulers.”

Selangor Umno liaison deputy chief Datuk Mat Nadzari Ahmad Dahlan said Dr Mahathir was being egoistic and arrogant.

“Dr Mahathir should ask for forgiveness from Sultan Sharafuddin. It is unwise to engage in a dispute with the palace,” he said.

The Selangor Council of the Royal Court yesterday confirmed that Dr Mahathir and his wife had returned their state royal awards.

Council secretary Hanafisah Jais said the sultan had accepted the return of the titles and agreed to it without objection.

Hanafisah said the act to gazette the cancellation of the awards would be done in accordance with procedures and processes.