Sultan rebukes ex-MB Mat Taib
In an interview with Utusan, the Selangor Ruler also describes Azmin as a more skillful politician than Khalid Ibrahim.
(Free Malaysia Today) – Maverick politician Muhammad Muhammad Taib is back in the limelight, with the Sultan of Selangor criticising his party hopping and expressing dissatisfaction with his service as menteri besar of the state between 1986 and 1997.
It’s been a while since Muhammad was in the news, but in an interview with the Sultan on the occasion of his 70th birthday, a group of Utusan Malaysia journalists dug up the past with a question about changes in the tradition of giving royal awards. Muhammad is known to have caused drastic departures from tradition and the Sultan recently decreed a return to the old ways.
“Muhammad changed many customs, such as the granting of royal honours; so the process bypassed the Royal Council and went straight through the State Exco,” the Sultan said.
He also complained about Muhammad’s decision to create the post of Deputy Menteri Besar, calling it the “biggest mistake in Selangor’s history” because it opened the door to political intrigue. “The Deputy MB would make it his mission to scheme and topple the MB” instead of serving the people, he said.
“Frankly, I do not respect Muhammad,” he told his interviewers in a discussion about party hopping.
“He amassed wealth when he was in Umno and then he joined PAS. Then just as things were turning south for PAS, he left it to join PKR. Whichever party he joins, it is hard to have respect for him for his tendency to jump ship.”
Asked about his feelings about former MB Khalid Ibrahim and the current MB Azmin Ali, he described Azmin as a more skillful politician than his predecessor.
“From what I’ve seen, Khalid had its his own way, but he is not a political master, while Azmin understands politics. We shall see who is better at bringing development and progress to this state.”
