Raja Nazrin declines using state funds

Zara: Will marry Raja Nazrin at IstanaIskandariah in Kuala Kangsar on Thursday

KUALA LUMPUR: The Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, has politely declined a state allocation for his wedding with Zara Salim Davidson on Thursday, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali said yesterday. 

“As the chief executive of the state government, I really appreciate the concern of the Raja Muda of Perak not to permit the state government to spend money for his marriage,” he said. 

Tajol Rosli said Raja Nazrin conveyed his wishes when he had an audience with him recently. 

“During the audience, Raja Nazrin politely thanked the state government for allocating funds for the royal wedding. 

“Instead, he advised the state government to spend the money for development projects to meet the needs of the people,” he said in a statement issued to Bernama yesterday. 

Tajol Rosli also said Raja Nazrin had told him that he would pay for all expenses incurred for his wedding. 

“Hence, if there are expenditures involving the state coffers, they are to repair and upgrade infrastructures that benefit the people in the long term,” he said. 

Raja Nazrin also said expenses for the feast for the common folk would also be borne by him. 

Some 5,000 ordinary folk, including orphans, would be feted in conjunction with the May 19 wedding reception. They include local Village and Security Development Committee (JKKK) members, village heads and grassroots politicians. 

The orphans are from Rumah Anak Yatim Kati, Rumah Anak Yatim Sultan Abdul Aziz and Rumah Anak Yatim Sungai Siput and students from schools in and around the royal town of Kuala Kangsar. 

Tajol Rosli also said the Raja Muda wanted a simple royal wedding conducted on a moderate scale. 

He said Raja Nazrin also advised companies and individuals against competing to buy advertisement space in newspapers on the occasion of his wedding. 

“Instead, he advised them that he would be happier if the funds for the advertisements are channelled for charity, especially donating to places of worship, welfare bodies, old folks homes, orphanages and schools in Perak,” Tajol Rosli said.