‘Stop guessing on reasons behind King’s resignation’

KOTA BARU:The Kelantan government called on the people not to speculate on the reasons behind Sultan Muhammad V stepping down as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Deputy Mentri Besar Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah said it was Sultan Muhammad V’s right to step down as King and that everyone should respect His Majesty’s decision.

“There is no need for us to question His Majesty’s decision,” he said after handing over the appointment letters to the newly appointed local authority councillors at Kompleks Kota Darul Naim here yesterday.

Meanwhile, commenting on an extract of the state constitution over the appointment of the Raja Perempuan Kelantan that had gone viral on social media, Mohd Amar said there were rules governing the matter.

The extract denoted that the Raja Perempuan Kelantan should be a Malay and Muslim. “In the matter of marriage of the Sultan, there are rules governing the appointment of the Raja Perempuan Kelantan, but if His Highness wants to marry anyone, it is not a problem.

“The appointment of the Raja Perempuan is a privilege of the Sultan ... it is his right, but must follow the existing rules,” he said.

There has been talk that the Sultan of Kelantan married a Russian woman, who had converted to Islam.

Sultan Muhammad V stepped down as King midway through his five-year term. His Majesty was installed as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong on April 24, 2017 after his proclamation as the new King on Dec 13, 2016.

He had succeeded the Sultan of Kedah, the late Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, whose term as the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong ended on Dec 12, 2016.

There is no need for us to question His Majesty’s decision. Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah