Lawyers Group Tell Putrajaya Not To Meddle In New King Selection

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A group of lawyers today called for the executive branch to give assurance that it will not interfere in the selection of the next Yang Di-Pertuan Agong
The group called “Concerned Lawyers for Justice” (CLJ) also wanted the prime minister to take action to address what it said was the increasing number of attacks against the country's monarchy
CLJ director Hafiz Norkhan told reporters that they delivered a memorandum to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) this afternoon urging that the exclusive rights of the Council of Malay Rulers would be respected by the executive
"The objective of delivering this memorandum was to ask for assurance that the exclusive rights of the Malay Rulers, including to choose the next Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, would be kept
"Because in recent weeks, we have seen worrying trends of public reaction especially in the event of Sultan Muhammad V's resignation (as Yang Di-Pertuan Agong) with many insults to the royal institution
"This trend will not contribute to the country's harmony and might put the country's security at risk. So we feel that advice or a proposal should be given to the prime minister to take this matter seriously and to take certain action," he told reporters when met outside PMO after submitting the memorandum
Hafiz was accompanied by four other CLJ members, including BN assemblyperson for Sungai Panjang, Mohd Imran Tamrin
When asked what made them feel that the executive might interfere in the selection of the next Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, Hafiz said their concern stemmed from rumours on social media as well as statements that had been made by several politicians recently
On Sunday (Jan 6), a statement released by the Istana Negara announced that Sultan Muhammad V had decided to resign as the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong
Following this, the Council of Malay Rulers convened a special meeting during which they decided that Perak ruler Sultan Nazrin Shah will be the acting Yang Di-Pertuan Agong
The council will convene again later this month to choose who among them will be the next Yang Di-Pertuan Agong. - Mkini

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