Going by Islamic precepts, no human being - and that includes Malaysia’s royalty - is free from the tendency to commit errors, said Selangor PAS deputy commissioner Khalid Samad.

azlan "The principle is, no human is maksum (a trait reserved for holy prophets who are preserved by God from doing wrong), this includes the sultans.

"In a constitutional monarchy, the sultans have to follow the roles accorded to them. They cannot (exceed their powers).

"This is not an absolute monarchy (as in Brunei). If it is, then the king would make the rules, the king may do whatever he wants."

Khalid, at a press conference in the Parliament lobby, was referring to debate over comments by constitutional law expert Abdul Aziz Bari, on a recent statement by Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.

This came out of the controversy involving the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department’s ‘inspection’ of an event organised by welfare NGO Harapan Komuniti, at which 12 Muslims were present.

Khalid was asked to state the Selangor PAS' stand on Abdul Aziz’s intention to sue Umno-owned daily Utusan Malaysia and former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamed for defamation, over their take on the law lecturer’s remarks.

NONE Abdul Aziz (right) is mulling the move, after Umno, Utusan and certain NGOs attacked his comments over the controversy.

Khalid said he could not comment more directly on Abdul Aziz’s claim that his statement has been portrayed out of context by the mainstream media.

"I don't know, so I cannot comment on that. But if the professor's claim is true and he sues them (and is successful), then Utusan will have to pay him, just like (it) had to pay me in my case against them."

Khalid was recently awarded RM60,000 in damages by a court, in his successful defamation suit against the Malay daily. 

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