KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 ― Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah is deeply angered and disappointed by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's remarks calling Bugis descendants “pirates” during last month's anti-kleptocracy rally, the state palace said today.
Selangor Council of the Royal Court secretary Hanafisah Jais issued a statement on behalf of the sultan after a meeting earlier today.
The council and the Sultan agreed that Dr Mahathir's remarks allegedly describing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak as a descendant of Bugis pirates was insulting to the Bugis community.
Hanafisah said the veteran politician’s remarks could spark hatred and prejudice against the Bugis community, and was also an insult to the Sultan Sharafuddin who is a descendant of Bugis royalty.
“His Majesty Sultan of Selangor, after discussing with members of the Selangor Council of the Royal Court on November 2, 2017 is angered, disappointed and views very seriously the contents of the speech made by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad,” the statement read.
Hanafisah said that Dr Mahathir as a former PM should have been more careful with his speech, and should have sought to find out actual facts about the history of the Bugis community.
“Historical facts show that the Selangor Sultanate are Bugis descendants, who are warriors who have fought and defended religion and peace in the Malay archipelago.”
The Selangor Sultan also reminded all parties especially politicians to refrain from use race and ancestry as a tool to garner support.
Several parties representing the Bugis community in Malaysia and Indonesia have demanded Dr Mahathir to openly apologise over the issue.
The Council called for an investigation under the Sedition Act 1948, and that action should be taken against Dr Mahathir.
