No more political intrigues, please
THE Sultan of Selangor is quite a sporting person to interview because he takes questions from the personal to the controversial. Below are excerpts from our conversation with him in conjunction with his 72nd birthday.
On finding love the third time around
It is good. She (Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin) had been working in the news media, she understands my work and what is happening. I love her because she is down-toearth and simple. I had told her that if she marries me, there will be problems because there are always jealous people out there but if you don’t change and stay as you are, you will be okay.
There is a big difference in our ages, I am 72, she is 47. But I don’t feel there is a generation gap – that is mostly in the mind. What’s important is that we understand each other.
When I got married, it was not as though I had known her two or three days. We met sometime ago but we were just friends. The first time I saw her, she was the emcee at an event in Stadium Melawati. She is very pretty but I did not want to get involved. Then I found out she was divorced and as you know, I have been a single man for 20 years after I divorced my second wife. It is not a difficult decision to make if the character of the person is suitable with yours.
On Crown Prince Tengku Amir Shah who turns 27 this month.
I tell him I am getting old, he has to start taking on the duties. I told him that he can learn many things now that he is still single, without any children. That was what my father did during his time, pass on the experience.
I think he is doing okay, I always tell him to be humble, polite and to be nice to people. That doesn’t cost anything. He likes to go around without bodyguards. I sometimes do the same thing. There is nothing to be scared of if you do not make enemies. We are lucky our country is not like (some Western countries), lots of crazy people there.
Voting in the general election
I cannot vote, not in Selangor or in the parliament. That has been the practice, my father did not allow it. It’s not a constitutional thing, more of a practice since my grandfather’s time. It applies to me, my brothers, my son and even my wife. I am not sure about other states.
Never a dull day in Selangor politics
I am very seasoned by now (laughs) in all these political intrigues. But no more intrigues, please. I am tired of it. It is a learning ground all the time. You need to keep cool and get good feedback.
The most challenging was the crisis over the mentri besar issue. I could not believe what was happening especially to Khalid (Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim). He was so loyal and suddenly he was kicked out. Maybe there was a hidden agenda, maybe I am not a politician and that is the kind of thing I do not understand.
The reason I did not accept Wan Azizah (Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail) is not because I think she is not qualified or that she is a woman. I have said it before – the Mentri Besar cannot be remote-controlled, he or she cannot be a puppet. You must have a strong character to do things for the rakyat.
When I asked them to submit names, they sent in one name. That means they are twisting my arm. I have always asked for a few names from the previous government and they sometimes send up to three names but they list their priority. What is the big deal that they cannot send more than one name?
Presence of PAS in the Selangor government
It’s not true I insisted that PAS be kept in the state government. There was no directive from me. But I am not for a snap election, it is too disruptive and costly when what we should be doing is to develop the state for the people. So if they want to maintain the government until the next election, that is good. But after the general election, I do not know what will happen.