SHAH ALAM: The Sultan of Selangor is incensed with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for his derogatory remarks against the Bugis community.
In a statement, Selangor Council of the Royal Court secretary Hanafisah Jais said Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah met with the royal council today, adding that he viewed the former prime minister’s statement with grave concern and disappointment.
She said the members of the council, after meeting the ruler, were of the view that a sedition probe against Dr Mahathir was warranted.
Hanafisah said Dr Mahathir’s statement, delivered at the Sayangi Malaysia, Hapuskan Kleptokrasi rally organised by Pakatan Harapan in Petaling Jaya on Oct 14, was aimed at inciting hatred, feelings of insult and other negative perceptions against the Bugis community by calling them pirates, robbers and criminals.
“The Selangor Council of the Royal Court deems the speech extreme and could spark hate and prejudice against the Bugis, causing riots and chaos.”
Hanafisah said Dr Mahathir had also directly insulted the genealogy and ancestry of the Selangor Sultanate as its lineage is Bugis.
“History has proven that the Selangor Sultanate came from Bugis ancestors, who were warriors and had fought and defended the religion and peace across the Malay archipelago.
“Dr Mahathir as a former prime minister who had governed the country for 22 years should have been more cautious about his remarks, and should be more knowledgeable about the history of the Bugis,” she said.
Hanafisah said Sultan Sharafuddin reminded the public, especially politicians, not to make use race and ancestry issues as political tools as this could undermine the harmony and unity of the people.
Dr Mahathir has come under fire — both at home and abroad — for the remarks he made at the rally when he said Malaysia had a leader who descended from “Bugis pirates”.
Several police reports have been lodged over the issue as the Bugis community in Malaysia took offence.