Sultan of Selangor strips Anwar Ibrahim’s datukship title

(NST) – The Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has stripped opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s datukship title effective on Nov 3.

Sultan Sharafuddin made the decision after consulting with the Council of the Royal Court last month.

The Sultan of Selangor’s private secretary Datuk Mohamad Munir Bani in a press statement said the withdrawal of the title conferred in 1992 was based on the Anwar’s actions and behaviour since the end of 2013.

Anwar, Munir said, had often questioned the Sultan of Selangor’s and the Rulers Institution’s authority and power in resolving the Selangor Menteri Besar’s appointment crisis and other matters involving Islam where the Sultan has executive power as the head of Islam in the state as enshrined in the Laws of the Constitution of Selangor, 1959 (Undang -undang Tubuh Kerajaan Selangor).

“His actions and behaviour no longer befit him to hold the Title,” he added.

Also made available was a page from the government of Selangor Gazette published on Nov 20 which read: “In exercise of the powers conferred by Article XXXIX of the Laws of the Constitution of Selangor, 1959 His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor, after consultation with the Dewan di-Raja, has assented that the title of Seri Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah which was conferred upon Anwar Ibrahim of No. 11, Jalan 3/61 Bukit Segambut, 51200 Kuala Lumpur be withdrawn with effect from 3 November 2014”.

Apart from the Seri Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah (SSSA) title which carries the title ‘Dato’ from the Selangor state government, Anwar holds several other datukship titles from other states including Perlis, Perak, Sabah, Negri Sembilan, Penang, Malacca and Pahang.