If we were to read history of FRENCH REVOLUTION and BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTION, we shall anticipate better that Malaysia will become a republic sooner that expected...........long live PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF MALAYSIA..!!!!

In July the Sultan of Selangor ordered assemblymen to pass amendments giving him more power over Islamic affairs.


“The Sultan is supposed to act on the advice of the state government, not the other way around. Even in the matters of Islam and Malay culture, the Sultan has to act on the advice of the state administration. We didn’t want to fight the palace, we had respect for the palace. We let it pass.”

Patrick Lee, Free Malaysia Today

Selangor state assemblymen are seeing red with what appears to be royal intervention in the running of the State Legislative Assembly.

In July, every state assemblyman allegedy received a letter from Sultan Sharafudin Idris Shah, commanding them to agree to amendments that would supposedly give the Ruler more power over Islamic affairs.

Pakatan Rakyat state assemblymen suspect that the hand of Umno was behind the move, which they say could have led to a constitutional crisis.

One, who spoke under condition of anonymity, said they saw the letter on their desks at about 9:30am when they attended the July 11 state assembly sitting.

The letter was accompanied by a Selangor government gazette with proposed amendments to the Administration of the Religion of Islam (State of Selangor) Enactment 2003.

“We did not know what to do,” the assemblyman told FMT. “We were totally shocked. It was a very delicate situation. If we went against it, it would have caused a constitutional crisis.

“The Sultan is supposed to act on the advice of the state government, not the other way around. Even in the matters of Islam and Malay culture, the Sultan has to act on the advice of the state administration."

“We didn’t want to fight the palace, we had respect for the palace. We let it pass.”

He added that if the assembly had snubbed the letter and voted against the proposed amendments, it would have been played to the hilt by both the mainstream media and the Umno-led state opposition.

Sultan’s letter

A copy of the letter was given to FMT by an anonymous sender. It was issued from the Alam Shah palace in Klang on July 11 and has the Sultan’s signature on it.

“As the head of Islam in the state, I am responsible for ensuring that the administration of Islam in the state operates smoothly and effectively,” the letter reads (see below).

“Therefore, I command all Yang Berhormat Members (of the Selangor State Assembly) to agree with the proposed amendments presented and approve the Bill so that these proposed amendments can be implemented immediately.”

A letter from the Sultan’s private secretary, Mohamed Munir Bani, to state assembly secretary Mohamad Yasin Bidin was also provided to FMT.

It reads: “I respectfully present the decree of His Majesty the Sultan of Selangor… to be distributed to all Selangor State Assemblymen immediately.”

The proposed amendments would:

• Make the administration of all mosques and suraus fall under the purview of the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS).

• This responsibility was previously held by the director of Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS).

• Give the Sultan the right to directly appoint anyone to the post of MAIS secretary.

• Remove the need to record in verbatim every resolution and policy made during MAIS meetings.

• Require all practising Syariah lawyers in the state to be Muslim.

• Require cheques issued by MAIS to be drawn according to its own financial procedures.

• Remove the need for MAIS and any corporation established under the Enactment to adhere to provisions in the Statutory Bodies (Accounts and Annual Reports) Act 1980.

• Give MAIS the power not only to collect zakat and tithes, but also to distribute it.

• Give MAIS the power to appoint anyone as mosque officials.

• Give MAIS the right to control and direct the duties of mosque committees.

There were 22 clauses stated in the provided gazette, with amendments to 21 sections within the Enactment.

Phone call from palace

Another assemblyman, who also spoke to FMT anonymously, said that the proposed amendments were initially made available at a state pre-council meeting, a “few days” before July 11.

According to him, many state assemblymen present at the meeting were unhappy with the bill and hotly debated the details.

“They voiced their displeasure at the bill,” he said. “They felt they should have been consulted first because of its importance.”

Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, according to the assemblyman, said he was troubled by the introduction of the amendments. Comments (4)..

written by earthman, November 09, 2011 20:24:02

If the above news is true, then it again show the agenda of the Islamist either in Umno , PKR or PAS is to run the country and this is one step towards realizing an Islamic state. Never mind the impossibility now or promises ,but always look at the hearts of Muslims. If the desires are still there, there is always a possibility.

If the advocates of a new transformed Malaysia were to keep on focusing on Umno alone,as clearly seen, they will eventually be caught by surprise when attack from within. ...

written by IbnAbdHalim, November 09, 2011 19:58:54

Satan at work. Lucifer or UMNO, both are the same. ...

written by eloofk, November 09, 2011 17:36:47

It is with deep regret if the Sultan of Selangor who doesnt know his rightful place and allows himself to be manipulated by politicians to play politics of which he should not be involved in but above it, then this will definitely signals the beginning of the end of the monarchy in the state or worse still, at the national level. ...

written by malchindian, November 09, 2011 17:21:49

Disturbing information:

Make the administration of all mosques and suraus fall under the purview of the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS).

This responsibility was previously held by the director of Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS). -bumno factions are infighting?

Give the Sultan the right to directly appoint anyone to the post of MAIS secretary. -The blackmailers priviledge Remove the need to record in verbatim every resolution and policy made during MAIS meetings. - irrational comments said at the heat of the moment need not be recorded

Require all practising Syariah lawyers in the state to be Muslim.

Require cheques issued by MAIS to be drawn according to its own financial procedures. - blank cheques on demand, no questions asked?

Remove the need for MAIS and any corporation established under the Enactment to adhere to provisions in the Statutory Bodies (Accounts and Annual Reports) Act 1980.

Give MAIS the power not only to collect zakat and tithes, but also to distribute it. - Transparency is optional?

Give MAIS the power to appoint anyone as mosque officials. - only umno will do?

Give MAIS the right to control and direct the duties of mosque committees. - top down instructions only