PAS MP Khalid Samad said today he was shocked that the Selangor sultan has called him “insolent” for his remark about the Selangor Islamic Affairs Council (Mais), as he was merely out to protect the royal institution.

The MP for Shah Alam said he would hold a press conference tomorrow to clear the air,  after Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah wrongly reprimanded him.

Sultan Sharafuddin’s strong rebuke made the front pages of all mainstream Malay-language newspapers today, and Khalid said although he heeded the scolding , he hoped to be able to give a fuller explanation.

“When the executive (for example) intrudes on temples, seizes Bibles, it can draw anger directly towards Mais as the executor.

“Therefore, we only want to safeguard the sultan, not take away his power. Even if the suggestion is not acceptable, I don’t think there is any reason for his highness to be outraged,” Khalid told Malaysiakini when contacted by phone.

The PAS central committee member stressed that he merely made a suggestion to the Selangor state assembly to “study again Mais’ executive powers, for the sake of safeguarding the royal institution”.

“There was no ulterior motive but only to safeguard the sultan,” Khalid emphasised again.

He said he would now pen a letter asking to meet with the sultan to explain the matter. The letter would be sent today or tomorrow, he added.

Meanwhile, Malay rights NGO Perkasa urged Khalid apologise first before even asking to face the sultan.

Selangor Perkasa chief Abu Bakar Yahya said Khalid had irked the rakyat with his anti-Mais remark, and he was now perceived to be  a servant of anti-Islam groups.

Abu Bakar also urged the Islamist party PAS to censure Khalid.

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