Open channel for talks with PM important, says King

Close ties: Dr Mahathir presenting Sultan Abdullah the Darjah Yang Maha Utama Darjah Kerabat Diraja Malaysia on behalf of the government at Istana Negara recently. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah readily admits that he enjoys attending his weekly meeting with Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The King and the Prime Minister meet every Wednesday prior to the weekly Cabinet meeting or on Friday when Parliament is in session.

“Yes, I do enjoy that Wednesday session. To be able to have a half-hour or hour-long session with the Prime Minister is really a privilege.

“He has a lot of experience and I am an inexperienced Agong. I look forward to the meeting, honestly.

“I make sure I read all the Cabinet papers diligently. The next day I will be ready by 7.15am to go to Putrajaya,” he told The Star.

Sultan Abdullah added that he asked many questions to Dr Mahaآ­thir and quipped: “I am quite a thorough Agong.”

He said he even remembered how many Cabinet papers he had read so far: “All in, 19 Cabinet papers for the past 160 days since I became the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.”

The King also addressed the change of government following the last general election.

He said whether it was the old or new government, he would conduct his role as stipulated in the Constitution.

“I hope to be given proper and good advice so that the government can function effectively.

“If there is any disagreement, we will have to have a good understanding with the Prime Minister or the minister concerned. I am sure nothing cannot be resolved if we all come to our senses,” he said.

Sultan Abdullah also said he was thankful that he had a good relationship with Dr Mahathir.

“I have a good understanding with the Prime Minister. He understands my way of thinking and I do have a lot of respect for the way he runs the country,” he said.

His Majesty also said he would need time to grow into his role as he was still in the learning stage.

He added that although he was not running the country, as the King he would need to be well advised on national matters.