I never asked for the title, Anwar says after Selangor Datukship revoked

(Malay Mail Online) – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today he had never lobbied for the “Datuk Seri” title when it was conferred to him back in 1992, hours after Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah announced his decision to revoke the award.

The Opposition Leader pointed out that Sultan Sharafuddin’s father, who was then the Selangor Sultan, was the one who had accorded him the title at the time.

“It was awarded to me back in 1992 by Almarhum Tuanku Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah without me making any requests or application, and I am grateful for Almarhum Tuanku’s grace in according me this title,” Anwar said in a three-paragraph statement today.

The PKR de facto leader said he was made aware that his Datukship had been revoked through a media statement by the Selangor Sultan’s private secretary Datuk Mohamad Munir Bani.

“I will still carry out my duties as Selangor economic advisor to guard the interests of Selangor and its people,” he added.

Earlier today, it was announced that the Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin had decided to revoke Anwar’s datukship over the opposition leader’s conduct during the state mentri besar crisis.

The Selangor palace said the revocation of the award took effect on November 3, and that Anwar’s title was removed because he had repeatedly disputed the Sultan and the royal house over the MB crisis since 2013.

“The decision is based on Anwar’s repeated questioning of the integrity of the Selangor Sultan and royal institution in resolving the Selangor MB crisis, as well as his questioning of issues related to Islam,” the Selangor Sultan’s private secretary, Datuk Mohamad Munir Bani, said in a statement today.

Anwar retains, however, other datukships awarded to him by states such as Perlis, Perak, Sabah, Negri Sembilan, Penang, Malacca and Pahang.

The statement added that the revocation of Anwar’s title was in line with the Selangor Sultan’s powers as enshrined in the 1959 state constitution.

“His (Anwar’s) behaviour and action is not befitting of someone who deserves to hold this title,” Munir added.

Selangor protracted year-long leadership crisis ended in September when PKR deputy president Azmin Ali took over the MB post from his former political rival Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim ― who was forced out before serving out his five-year term.