Kubang Rotan assemblyperson Mohd Nasir Mustafa of PAS does not have to seek forgiveness from the Sultan of Kedah, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, for allegedly having questioned the ruler's powers as the head of Islam in the state, Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak said today.

He said the assemblyperson had wanted to know as to what extent the powers of the sultan were respected by the federal government, and to what extent the state government could not interfere in the administration of Islamic religious affairs in the state.

"It became an issue due to a lack of understanding on the part of the Barisan Nasional (BN) assemblypersons. We asked as to what extent they respected the sultan?" he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the state executive council in Alor Setar.

He said the matter was discussed with the sultan, whom he met at the opening of the Merdeka Beach Resort at Pantai Merdeka yesterday morning.

"There is no need to clarify (the matter) to His Royal Highness as he understood it, and I called up his private secretary on the matter last night.

"They said to just ignore it," said Azizan.

Mohd Nasir sparked off an uproar in the state assembly sitting on Monday with the two questions, which forced Speaker Abdul Isa Ismail to have them retracted.

The Kedah Royal Household Association demanded that Mohd Nasir seek forgiveness from the sultan and asked Azizan to seek an audience with the sultan to explain and seek forgiveness for the assemblyman's action.

Meanwhile, Mohd Nasir said he was scrutinising media reports on the matter which he claimed had manipulated the facts over his questions and that he would lodge police reports and follow up with legal action, if necessary.

- Bernama