ALOR STAR: Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor today issued an unreserved public apology to the sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah over his remarks during the state election campaign in Selayang in July last year.
He acknowledged that his comments caused displeasure and hurt the feelings of Sultan Sharafuddin, expressing genuine regret for the negative implications of his words.
He said he truly regretted all the negative implications of his remarks which resulted in him being charged at the Selayang Sessions Court with two counts of uttering seditious remarks that could incite disloyalty towards the rulers.
"I hereby acknowledge my remarks have caused displeasure and hurting the feelings of His Majesty, and I truly regret all the negative implications of my remarks.
"I humbly wish to convey to His Majesty that there was no intention in my heart to mock His Majesty, whom I truly respect and hold in high regard.
"I realised that when visiting other states, in my case,when I was in Selangor, I should not have uttered remarks that were disrespectful, insulting and impolite the way I had said, even though the speech was made in the heat of the election campaign.
"Therefore, with full humility and regret, I seek the forgiveness of His Majesty, the Sultan of Selangor, the Selangor Menteri Besar, and the people of Selangor for my indecent words," he said.
In reading out his apology statement, Sanusi also gave his word that he would be more careful in making any statement in future and to ensure that his speech is in line with the Malay custom which is always highly respectful of the Malay Rulers and the Royal Institution.
On July 18 last year, Sanusi pleaded not guilty at the Selayang Sessions Court to two counts of uttering seditious remarks that could incite disloyalty towards the Rulers.
He uttered seditious and insulting remarks in relation to Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah near Taman Selayang Mutiara at about 11pm on July 11.
Sanusi was also charged with making the same offence when he allegedly uttered seditious remarks questioning Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's statement on the King's decree on the establishment of the unity government.
On July 22 this year, the Shah Alam High Court postponed the trial pending the decision of Sanusi's second representation to the Attorney-General's Chamber (A-GC).
It was Sanusi's second representation after his first was rejected by the A-GC in May; and both sought the dismissal of two sedition charges of uttering seditious remarks against the Sultan of Selangor and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong last year.