Sanusi apologises to Selangor Sultan over remarks

ALOR SETAR: Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has issued a public apology to the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah over his “disrespectful” remarks made during the state election in July last year.

The Kedah Mentri Besar expressed deep remorse for any discomfort and offence his comments may have caused the Sultan.

He clarified there was no intention to mock or dishonour His Highness, whom he held in high regard.

Sanusi’s apology comes days before case management of his sedition case over the statement in the Selayang Sessions Court tomorrow, and more than 14 months after the speech was made.

“I realise 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, even though the speech was made in the heat of the election campaign,” he said in a statement yesterday.

“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.

Sanusi got into hot water after allegedly belittling the Sultan of Selangor for having appointed Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari as Mentri Besar.

The Jeneri assemblyman and PAS national election director had previously sent a letter of apology to the Sultan shortly after his speech, including what he says is an explanation of how the speech had been “spun” to defame him.

He had said the letter was sent to the Selangor palace as he needed to explain his side of the story, claiming that parts of his speech on July 11 were “deliberately twisted”.

However on July 17, the Sultan decreed that the matter was not resolved despite the apology by Sanusi.

Sanusi was charged a day later with making the seditious remarks but had pleaded not guilty.