Statement soon on return of Dr M’s awards

KLANG: The Selangor palace is expected to issue a statement following reports that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has returned two awards he received from the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.

“We will issue a statement as soon as we have ascertained the awards have been returned,” said the Selangor Sultan’s private secretary Datuk Mohamad Munir Bani when met by reporters after the investiture ceremony in conjunction with Sultan Sharafuddin’s 72nd birthday at Istana Alam Shah yesterday.

Mahathir, who is chairman of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, was the recipient of two medals of honour in 1978 and 2003. One of them was the Darjah Kebesaran Seri Paduka Mahkota Selangor (First Class).

It was reported that Mahathir had returned the two awards last Thursday, a move believed to be related to the palace’s outrage over his remarks on the Bugis community.

Mahathir’s wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah, had also reportedly returned her state awards to Selangor.

Commenting on the issue, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said the issue of returning the awards was between Mahathir, Siti Hasmah and the palace, and the state had no connection to the matter.

On a statement by DAP member Datuk Zaid Ibrahim against Sultan Sharafuddin which was deemed seditious by many quarters, Mohamed Azmin said the palace had reprimanded Zaid over his remarks.

“I think he must be responsible for what he said,” he added.

In a tweet, Zaid had reportedly disputed the Sultan’s criticism of Mahathir over the comment insulting the Bugis community. – Bernama