– BernamaAll eyes and ears: Anwar chairing the first special Cabinet meeting of the Unity Government at Perdana Putra.
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PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will not receive any salary, both as Prime Minister and as Finance Minister, he has clarified.
Cabinet ministers have also agreed to a 20% pay cut until Malaysia reaches economic recovery, he said.
Rubbishing talk that he would be paid as Finance Minister although he had declined the salary for the top job, Anwar announced he would not be taking any form of government salary.
This was in line with his promise made during the election campaign, he said.
During the campaign, Anwar had said he would not take a salary if he was appointed as prime minister because the people themselves were struggling to cope with rising costs.
“Some people say I’m not taking the Prime Minister’s salary because I am the Finance Minister. That’s not true. There is only one salary,” he said, laughing off such claims during a press conference here yesterday.
ALSO READ:Budget to be enhanced with MOF, Cabinet views
The Members of Parliament Act (Act 347) only allows one salary for ministers, deputy ministers or political secretaries.
On the Cabinet ministers’ pay cut, he said this was their way of acknowledging the tough times faced by the people.
“The pay cut will be implemented as long as Malaysia continues to recover economically.
“It shows the ministers are also concerned about the livelihood of the public,” he said.
Asked if the pay cut would be carried out throughout the government’s five-year tenure, he simply said that it could range from three to five years, depending on the situation.
Cabinet to take 20% pay cut
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim thanks his ministers “for their willingness to make some sacrifices” and said this was to show the government’s concern for Malaysians.
Calmer days: In this May 9,2018, photo, Dr Mahathir with Muhyiddin
speaking to reporters after the results of GE14 was announced.
Yesterday, the King declared Muhyiddin as the Prime Minister. – AP
“WATCH for the game within the game, ” a tycoon who bankrolls political parties told me over coffee in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.
On that afternoon, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad shockingly announced that he quit as the Prime Minister.
The tycoon and I were discussing the botched Sunday game plan to install a Perikatan Nasional (or is it Pakatan Nasional?) government.
Something awry had happened which went against the playbook of the Perikatan Nasional plotters.
Was it because the rule of the game was changed?
Was it that the politicians had played each other out?
Was there a game within a game?
In this fast-paced political game, the entire truth has not surfaced, but soon we’ll know.
Tuesday and Wednesday’s process of the King meeting 220 MPs (except for Dr Mahathir and Padang Regas MP Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz who was overseas) individually looked like a done deal. Pakatan Harapan, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (which quit PH on Monday), sacked PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali and his 10 MPs, and other minor parties had endorsed Dr Mahathir.
Then came the game within the game.
On Tuesday, after their MPs met the King individually, PKR, DAP and Amanah (which are in Pakatan Harapan) announced that it had backed PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
From a quick MPs calculation, PH with 92 MPs minus Barisan Nasional/PAS/PBRS with about 60 MPs (who not all are voting according to party line) which voted for bubar (Parliament dissolved), it was clear that Dr Mahathir had lost the vote count.
Many thought that the master of the game, Dr Mahathir, kena game (had been played).
On Thursday, Dr Mahathir – without waiting for the King to reveal the outcome of his majesty’s face to face meeting with individual MPs – declared there was no prime minister candidate with a clear majority. The interim Prime Minister announced there would be a special Parliament sitting on March 2 to determine who will be the next prime minister.
However, on Friday, the Parliament Speaker Tan Sri Mohd Ariff Yusof announced that there would not be a special Parliament sitting to determine who will be prime minister.
On that day, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah decided to give party leaders who have MPs in the Dewan Rakyat the opportunity to nominate a prime minister.
The frontrunners to be our next PM were Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and PKR president Anwar. Seemingly, Dr Mahathir was out of the game.
The fight was shaping up to be Perikatan Nasional (a Muslim and Bumiputera majority government) versus Pakatan Harapan (a non-Muslim majority government).
From the WhatsApp messages I could barely have time to monitor, the rakyat choice depended on who they hated the most.
Some who hated DAP supported the Perikatan Nasional government and those who hated Umno and PAS preferred the Pakatan Harapan government.
Grassroots politicians were getting emotional. Some were hysterical that they have to swallow the hate words they uttered against their political enemies as they might be in the same government.
Last night, a retired veteran journalist WhatsApp-ed me: “Instead of the tik-tok of the horse race and the numbers, why isn’t anyone reporting what this is all about: a battle for Malaysia’s future and what kind of country we want to be?
“A Malaysia focused on race and religion, or a Malaysia focused on building a better tomorrow in the Digital Age?”
I agree with him.
But the game is played fast and furious that we’re trying our best to keep pace with it.
Based on a quick calculation of MPs from political parties, in the numbers game, Muhyiddin had more than Anwar.
Bersatu 36 MPs (from 26 overnight it increased by 10 MPs with Azmin and gang), Umno 39 MPs, PAS 18 MPs, Gabungan Parti Sarawak 18 MPs and minor parties, Muhyiddin won.
Whereas Anwar only had his Pakatan Harapan ally (PKR 39 MPs, DAP 42 MPs and Amanah 11 MPs).
Game over for Anwar?
No. On Friday night, it became clear that the party leaders had no control of their MPs who had different allegiance. Karma had struck Bersatu – it was civil war between Team Mahathir and Team Muhyiddin.
Some sleeper MPs were awakened to go against their party leader.
Some MPs are honourable.
Some are for sale.
Not surprising as this is the games politicians play.
The shocker was yesterday. Dr Mahathir was back in the game.
The interim Prime Minister had thrown his name in the Game of Thrones. He was now the game-changer.
Some of those who backstabbed him when they met the King on Tuesday and Wednesday were now backing him.
Yesterday, the situation was very fluid. Too many games played and play outs.
I would have preferred a bubar endgame.
Let the rakyat be the kingmakers instead of MPs.
The endgame turn out to be the king declaring Muhyiddin as Prime Minister.
To the winners of the Game of Thrones, I wish them: GGWP (Good Game, Well Played).
Calmer days: In this May 9,2018, photo, Dr Mahathir with Muhyiddin speaking to reporters after the results of GE14 was announced. Yesterday, the King declared Muhyiddin as the Prime Minister. – AP
“WATCH for the game within the game, ” a tycoon who bankrolls political parties told me over coffee in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.
On that afternoon, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad shockingly announced that he quit as the Prime Minister.
The tycoon and I were discussing the botched Sunday game plan to install a Perikatan Nasional (or is it Pakatan Nasional?) government.
Something awry had happened which went against the playbook of the Perikatan Nasional plotters.
Was it because the rule of the game was changed?
Was it that the politicians had played each other out?
Was there a game within a game?
In this fast-paced political game, the entire truth has not surfaced, but soon we’ll know.
Tuesday and Wednesday’s process of the King meeting 220 MPs (except for Dr Mahathir and Padang Regas MP Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz who was overseas) individually looked like a done deal. Pakatan Harapan, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (which quit PH on Monday), sacked PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali and his 10 MPs, and other minor parties had endorsed Dr Mahathir.
Then came the game within the game.
On Tuesday, after their MPs met the King individually, PKR, DAP and Amanah (which are in Pakatan Harapan) announced that it had backed PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
From a quick MPs calculation, PH with 92 MPs minus Barisan Nasional/PAS/PBRS with about 60 MPs (who not all are voting according to party line) which voted for bubar (Parliament dissolved), it was clear that Dr Mahathir had lost the vote count.
Many thought that the master of the game, Dr Mahathir, kena game (had been played).
On Thursday, Dr Mahathir – without waiting for the King to reveal the outcome of his majesty’s face to face meeting with individual MPs – declared there was no prime minister candidate with a clear majority. The interim Prime Minister announced there would be a special Parliament sitting on March 2 to determine who will be the next prime minister.
However, on Friday, the Parliament Speaker Tan Sri Mohd Ariff Yusof announced that there would not be a special Parliament sitting to determine who will be prime minister.
On that day, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah decided to give party leaders who have MPs in the Dewan Rakyat the opportunity to nominate a prime minister.
The frontrunners to be our next PM were Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and PKR president Anwar. Seemingly, Dr Mahathir was out of the game.
The fight was shaping up to be Perikatan Nasional (a Muslim and Bumiputera majority government) versus Pakatan Harapan (a non-Muslim majority government).
From the WhatsApp messages I could barely have time to monitor, the rakyat choice depended on who they hated the most.
Some who hated DAP supported the Perikatan Nasional government and those who hated Umno and PAS preferred the Pakatan Harapan government.
Grassroots politicians were getting emotional. Some were hysterical that they have to swallow the hate words they uttered against their political enemies as they might be in the same government.
Last night, a retired veteran journalist WhatsApp-ed me: “Instead of the tik-tok of the horse race and the numbers, why isn’t anyone reporting what this is all about: a battle for Malaysia’s future and what kind of country we want to be?
“A Malaysia focused on race and religion, or a Malaysia focused on building a better tomorrow in the Digital Age?”
I agree with him.
But the game is played fast and furious that we’re trying our best to keep pace with it.
Based on a quick calculation of MPs from political parties, in the numbers game, Muhyiddin had more than Anwar.
Bersatu 36 MPs (from 26 overnight it increased by 10 MPs with Azmin and gang), Umno 39 MPs, PAS 18 MPs, Gabungan Parti Sarawak 18 MPs and minor parties, Muhyiddin won.
Whereas Anwar only had his Pakatan Harapan ally (PKR 39 MPs, DAP 42 MPs and Amanah 11 MPs).
Game over for Anwar?
No. On Friday night, it became clear that the party leaders had no control of their MPs who had different allegiance. Karma had struck Bersatu – it was civil war between Team Mahathir and Team Muhyiddin.
Some sleeper MPs were awakened to go against their party leader.
Some MPs are honourable.
Some are for sale.
Not surprising as this is the games politicians play.
The shocker was yesterday. Dr Mahathir was back in the game.
The interim Prime Minister had thrown his name in the Game of Thrones. He was now the game-changer.
Some of those who backstabbed him when they met the King on Tuesday and Wednesday were now backing him.
Yesterday, the situation was very fluid. Too many games played and play outs.
I would have preferred a bubar endgame.
Let the rakyat be the kingmakers instead of MPs.
The endgame turn out to be the king declaring Muhyiddin as Prime Minister.
To the winners of the Game of Thrones, I wish them: GGWP (Good Game, Well Played).
It added to the country's debts and we cannot afford it, explains Dr. Mahathier
Headline News
THE cancellation of two multi-billion dollar projects in Malaysia awarded to companies from China ends months of uncertainty, besides marking new parameters for investment by companies from the world’s second largest economy.
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced the cancellation of the RM55bil East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) and two gas pipeline projects worth RM9.41bil at the end of his five-day visit to China.
The Prime Minister said the projects only added to Malaysia’s debts and had to be cancelled until the country could afford it.
He said China’s leaders understood Malaysia’s plight and their response was positive.
He said he explained to President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and chairman of the National People’s Congress Li Zhanshu why Malaysia could not go on with the projects.
“It is all about borrowing too much money, we cannot afford it, we cannot repay and also because we do not need them.
“The Chinese see our point of view and none of the three leaders said ‘no’.
“They understand why we have to reduce our debts,” Dr Mahathir told Malaysian journalists here yesterday before wrapping up his official visit.
Asked about compensation, he said details including the amount would have to be negotiated and worked out by officials later.
“If we have to pay compensation, we have to pay. We cannot afford it, so we must find a way to exit it at the lowest cost possible,” he added, blaming the previous government for entering into such unfair agreements with huge exit costs.
Both projects were awarded under the previous government in November 2016 during an official visit to China by former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Since Pakatan Harapan took over, China’s investments in Malaysia and large-scale infrastructure projects have come under intense scrutiny.
Both the railway and gas pipeline projects were mired in controversy with huge advance payments made not corresponding with ground work.
Dr Mahathir also laid out the types of investments that Malaysia wanted to attract, citing foreign direct investments (FDIs) which brought in capital and technology, and hiring of locals to produce goods for local consumption or export.
“This is the meaning of FDI, not buying land and setting up new cities. We want our people to be employed and they (China) agreed,” he added.
Criticism on previous construction projects undertaken by companies from China was that it had little multiplier effects on domestic economy because almost everything was brought in from there.
As per the ECRL project, most of the railway track work was slated to be handled by companies from China despite Malaysia having many companies with such expertise. And as for the two pipeline projects, an average of only 13% of the work was done but the amount drawn down was a staggering 88% of the total cost of RM9.4bil.
No local company was known to be undertaking the gas pipeline jobs.
Dr Mahathir in the past also criticised land and reclamation rights being sold to property developers from China to build large-scale property projects, especially in Johor.
Asked what happened to the money that had been drawn down, he said it should be recovered from Najib.
“He was the one who entered (into the agreement), I have never heard of a contract in which you pay on time without any condition that the work must be done,” he added.
Economists said investors had been waiting for some kind of direction on China’s investments here with Pakatan in power.
Socio Economic Research Centre executive director Lee Heng Guie said the impact of the cancellation of the projects to the Malaysian economy would be manageable, although there would be some negative effect on consumption and investment.
“There could be some impact on the job market with the expected layoffs.
“But I don’t think the cancellation will pull down investment and consumption significantly.
“Whatever contraction of the economy that we will likely see because of the ECRL cancellation should be cushioned by ongoing projects,” Lee added.
All quiet: Workers at the ECRL site in
Bentong, Pahang, are waiting for an announcement from their management
after Dr Mahathir cancelled the project .
BENTONG: While some workers involved in the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) are in shock over the scrapping of the project as announced by the Prime Minister, some areas have yet to see any work despite the launch of the 688km line about a year ago.
Several construction workers said they were left in the dark over the matter.
“Right now, we don’t know what the actual status of the project is.
“We are still waiting for an announcement from the top management,” a senior construction worker told The Star on condition of anonymity.
Another construction worker also expressed a similar sentiment, saying that the ECRL project consisted mainly of Malaysian workers.
“Workers from China comprised 18% to 20% of the staff,” he said.
A security guard at the Bentong ECRL project site said the workers’ quarters were already deserted a month ago.
In July, Singapore’s Channel NewsAsia reported that the fallout had already seen half of the workforce, mostly Malaysians, being retrenched.
A source from the Malaysian Rail Link (MRL), the project owner of ECRL, confirmed that the retrenchment did indeed take place.
“The China Communications and Constructions Company (CCCC) started layoffs a month ago when the project was suspended.
“Half of them are already retrenched and the Chinese workers were told to leave,” said the highly placed source.
Top officials in the MRL are said to be shocked by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s announcement as it was understood that they were in discussion with the Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) and the Transport and Finance Ministries to come up with several options to scale down construction costs.
“The MRL has paid more than RM10bil to the main contractor, the China Communications and Constructions Company and there is a claim of RM9bil for work done.
“So it will be quite a waste because the figure to compensate them is quite high,” he said.
The project was launched on Aug 9, 2017, and scheduled for completion in 2024.
In Kuantan, at the site in KotaSAS where the project was launched with much fanfare, all that remains is an empty swathe of land.
Besides the ongoing construction to build the new Pahang administrative centre nearby, it was all quiet at the site where former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak performed the ground-breaking ceremony.
A security guard at the site said no actual rail construction had been carried out since the launch.
The guard, who declined to be named, said there were no workers from China or an ECRL office located at the site.
He was surprised when told of Dr Mahathir’s announcement.
“But then again, there was never any railway construction here. So, there’s nothing to stop,” he said.
A large signboard near the site stated that the KotaSAS Central station would open in 2021.
It added to the country's debts and we cannot afford it, explains Dr. Mahathier
Headline News
THE cancellation of two multi-billion dollar projects in Malaysia awarded to companies from China ends months of uncertainty, besides marking new parameters for investment by companies from the world’s second largest economy.
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced the cancellation of the RM55bil East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) and two gas pipeline projects worth RM9.41bil at the end of his five-day visit to China.
The Prime Minister said the projects only added to Malaysia’s debts and had to be cancelled until the country could afford it.
He said China’s leaders understood Malaysia’s plight and their response was positive.
He said he explained to President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and chairman of the National People’s Congress Li Zhanshu why Malaysia could not go on with the projects.
“It is all about borrowing too much money, we cannot afford it, we cannot repay and also because we do not need them.
“The Chinese see our point of view and none of the three leaders said ‘no’.
“They understand why we have to reduce our debts,” Dr Mahathir told Malaysian journalists here yesterday before wrapping up his official visit.
Asked about compensation, he said details including the amount would have to be negotiated and worked out by officials later.
“If we have to pay compensation, we have to pay. We cannot afford it, so we must find a way to exit it at the lowest cost possible,” he added, blaming the previous government for entering into such unfair agreements with huge exit costs.
Both projects were awarded under the previous government in November 2016 during an official visit to China by former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Since Pakatan Harapan took over, China’s investments in Malaysia and large-scale infrastructure projects have come under intense scrutiny.
Both the railway and gas pipeline projects were mired in controversy with huge advance payments made not corresponding with ground work.
Dr Mahathir also laid out the types of investments that Malaysia wanted to attract, citing foreign direct investments (FDIs) which brought in capital and technology, and hiring of locals to produce goods for local consumption or export.
“This is the meaning of FDI, not buying land and setting up new cities. We want our people to be employed and they (China) agreed,” he added.
Criticism on previous construction projects undertaken by companies from China was that it had little multiplier effects on domestic economy because almost everything was brought in from there.
As per the ECRL project, most of the railway track work was slated to be handled by companies from China despite Malaysia having many companies with such expertise. And as for the two pipeline projects, an average of only 13% of the work was done but the amount drawn down was a staggering 88% of the total cost of RM9.4bil.
No local company was known to be undertaking the gas pipeline jobs.
Dr Mahathir in the past also criticised land and reclamation rights being sold to property developers from China to build large-scale property projects, especially in Johor.
Asked what happened to the money that had been drawn down, he said it should be recovered from Najib.
“He was the one who entered (into the agreement), I have never heard of a contract in which you pay on time without any condition that the work must be done,” he added.
Economists said investors had been waiting for some kind of direction on China’s investments here with Pakatan in power.
Socio Economic Research Centre executive director Lee Heng Guie said the impact of the cancellation of the projects to the Malaysian economy would be manageable, although there would be some negative effect on consumption and investment.
“There could be some impact on the job market with the expected layoffs.
“But I don’t think the cancellation will pull down investment and consumption significantly.
“Whatever contraction of the economy that we will likely see because of the ECRL cancellation should be cushioned by ongoing projects,” Lee added.
All quiet: Workers at the ECRL site in Bentong, Pahang, are waiting for an announcement from their management after Dr Mahathir cancelled the project .
BENTONG: While some workers involved in the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) are in shock over the scrapping of the project as announced by the Prime Minister, some areas have yet to see any work despite the launch of the 688km line about a year ago.
Several construction workers said they were left in the dark over the matter.
“Right now, we don’t know what the actual status of the project is.
“We are still waiting for an announcement from the top management,” a senior construction worker told The Star on condition of anonymity.
Another construction worker also expressed a similar sentiment, saying that the ECRL project consisted mainly of Malaysian workers.
“Workers from China comprised 18% to 20% of the staff,” he said.
A security guard at the Bentong ECRL project site said the workers’ quarters were already deserted a month ago.
In July, Singapore’s Channel NewsAsia reported that the fallout had already seen half of the workforce, mostly Malaysians, being retrenched.
A source from the Malaysian Rail Link (MRL), the project owner of ECRL, confirmed that the retrenchment did indeed take place.
“The China Communications and Constructions Company (CCCC) started layoffs a month ago when the project was suspended.
“Half of them are already retrenched and the Chinese workers were told to leave,” said the highly placed source.
Top officials in the MRL are said to be shocked by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s announcement as it was understood that they were in discussion with the Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) and the Transport and Finance Ministries to come up with several options to scale down construction costs.
“The MRL has paid more than RM10bil to the main contractor, the China Communications and Constructions Company and there is a claim of RM9bil for work done.
“So it will be quite a waste because the figure to compensate them is quite high,” he said.
The project was launched on Aug 9, 2017, and scheduled for completion in 2024.
In Kuantan, at the site in KotaSAS where the project was launched with much fanfare, all that remains is an empty swathe of land.
Besides the ongoing construction to build the new Pahang administrative centre nearby, it was all quiet at the site where former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak performed the ground-breaking ceremony.
A security guard at the site said no actual rail construction had been carried out since the launch.
The guard, who declined to be named, said there were no workers from China or an ECRL office located at the site.
He was surprised when told of Dr Mahathir’s announcement.
“But then again, there was never any railway construction here. So, there’s nothing to stop,” he said.
A large signboard near the site stated that the KotaSAS Central station would open in 2021.
PETALING JAYA: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V, has consented to the appointment of Tommy Thomas (pic) as the new Attorney-General (AG).
In a statement, the Comptroller of the Royal Household Datuk Wan Ahmad Dahlan Ab Aziz said the King, on the advice of the Prime Minister, has given the approval to the appointment of Thomas as the AG according to Article 145 (1) of the Federal Constitution.
The Agong, said Wan Ahmad, has also called on Malaysians to accept the appointment of the AG, adding it should not create conflict as every Malaysian should be treated fairly regardless of their race or religion.
“The appointment would still continue to uphold the special privileges of the Malays and bumiputra as well as Islam as the religion of the Federation,” said Wan Ahmad.
He said the Agong has also approved the termination of Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali as AG after taking into consideration the views of the Malay Rulers on three issues.
These issues are the appointment of the AG, the rights of the bumiputras, and the rule of the Council of Rulers as stated under Article 153 of the Federal Constitution.
“The King has also expressed his disappointment (dukacita) and worries on media reports of late that were inaccurate and negative in nature, which could threaten the peace and harmony in the nation.
“The King has the obligation to uphold the Federal Constitution and preserve the rights of the Malays and bumiputras, as well as to protect Islam,” he added.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, on May 14, announced that Apandi was told to go on leave and would be temporarily replaced by Solicitor-General Datuk Engku Nor Faizah Engku Atek.
The proposal to appoint Thomas as AG had sparked a disagreement with the King, but Dr Mahathir was adamant and submitted only Thomas' name to the King.
However the Agong insisted on more than one name, according to sources close to the royalty.
Malaysians expressed their joy and gratitude to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V, for giving his consent for Tommy Thomas to be appointed the new Attorney-General (AG).
On The Star Online Facebook page, Thomas’ announcement received 291 shares, and 2,100 likes within an hour of the news breaking early Tuesday morning.
John Doraisamy said Malaysia and Malaysians were moving in the right direction.
“Happy to be 1Malaysia without racism,” he posted.
“Thank you to His Majesty YDP Agong for your royal consent. Congratulations to the new AG!” he said.
Justin Tan said Malaysia had reached a new milestone with Thomas' appointment.
“Everyone should be treated equally and fairly regardless of their race or religion.
“Hope this signifies a true Malaysian society based on merit that will push the country forward to becoming the next powerhouse in the region,” he said.
Meanwhile, Facebook user Rajasegaran Subramaniam called for the Federal Constitution to be made a compulsory subject in schools and universities due to the controversy surrounding Thomas’ appointment.
“It is pain in the eyes witnessing so called new Malaysia citizens commenting on sensitive issues without any ideas on what they are even commenting.
“(The) past two days was one hell of a rollercoaster ride because of ignorant comments from ‘new Malaysia’ citizens,” he said.
In a letter dated June 4, but released early Tuesday (June 5), the Comptroller of the Royal Household Datuk Wan Ahmad Dahlan Ab Aziz said the King, on the advice of the Prime Minister, has given the approval to the appointment of Thomas as the AG according to Article 145 (1) of the Federal Constitution.
The King, said Wan Ahmad, has also called on Malaysians to accept the appointment of the AG, adding it should not create conflict as every Malaysian should be treated fairly regardless of their race or religion.
“The appointment would still continue to uphold the special privileges of the Malays and bumiputera as well as Islam as the religion of the Federation,” said Wan Ahmad. The Star
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