MALAY RULERS NOT MERE SYMBOLS, SAYS SELANGOR SULTAN

SHAH ALAM, July 9 (Bernama) -- Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Ruler of
Selangor state Wednesday reminded all quarters especially elected
representatives in the state not to view Malays rulers as mere symbols whose
role were limited to just opening official events.

He said they had an important role to play especially in safeguarding Malay
privileges, the status of Bahasa Malaysia, the national language, Islam and the
welfare of the other races in the country.

"I wish to remind Selangor elected representatives Malaysia is a
constitutional monarchy as enshrined in the Constitution. As such, I would like
to advise that the royalty institution and the Selangor State Assembly be
accorded the proper respect," he said at a banquet held in conjunction with the
50th anniversary celebration of the Selangor State Assembly, here Wednesday
night.

This was also the Sultan's first official function after successfully
undergoing Mitral Valve Repair at Stanford University Medical Centre in Palo
Alto, California on May 2.
-- BERNAMA