Palace denies tycoon’s claim that sultan stopped his appointment as Perak adviser

(FMT) – The Perak palace has denied the claim by prominent tycoon Koon Yew Yin that his appointment as the state’s economic adviser was scuttled due to his claims that Datuk titles had been exchanged for money.

Koon said after the May 9 general election, the Perak menteri besar’s secretary requested his postal address to send him a letter of appointment as the state economic adviser, but the appointment was stopped on the instruction from the palace.

“The Perak sultan has absolutely no right under the Federal Constitution to stop my appointment, and he cannot tell the Perak menteri besar and our political leaders how to manage their duties and what to do because I am fully qualified to help improve Perak’s economy,” said Koon, 85, a former civil engineer who went on to co-found construction giant IJM Corporation Bhd.

Koon also listed his past achievements, including his contributions to charitable causes.

However, the Perak Royal Council denied the claim.

When contacted, a member of the council, Annuar Zaini, said Sultan Nazrin Shah had never interfered in any appointment related to the state administration.

Koon, in his statement today, went on to say that he had bankrolled Pakatan Harapan (PH) parties.

“I have donated hundreds of thousand ringgit to each of the four component political parties and campaigned in about 10 locations within Perak for PH,” he said.

FMT has contacted the Perak menteri besar for a response.