Sultan dragged into Galas campaign, palace denies involvement
GUA MUSANG, Oct 29 — The Galas by-election campaign heated up today with accusations hurled at the PAS government for exploiting the Kelantan Sultan to win votes. Rumours have been circulating in the constituency since this morning that Sultan Muhammad V would visit Gua Musang this weekend to hand over land titles at a state government function, which would be a boost to PAS’s campaign.
But the palace has denied that the ruler would visit Galas before the November 4 polls.
A pro-Umno blog, The Unspinners, claimed that the state government had planned to award 1,200 Orang Asli voters with land titles.
Another blog Bigdogdotcom commented that it was unfortunate that if a Sultan is manipulated by a political party during an election, in a posting which appeared to accuse Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat of using the palace.
“It is unfortunate if His Royal Highness the Sultan is used as a ‘tool’ by certain parties during a democratic process, especially in election. Elections is a fight between political parties and politicians,” said a posting on the blog yesterday.
Palace sources however denied that Sultan Muhammad was visiting Galas, adding that he had even postponed all meetings with the state executive councillors scheduled before November 4.
“The Sultan is not even in the state and he will not make any visit to Gua Musang until after the election,” a palace source told The Malaysian Insider.
Muhammad, who was proclaimed the new Sultan last month, however had visited the constituency last week before the start of the campaign period to hand over land titles to more than 100 residents, but it was understood that no politician was allowed to attend the event.
“No politician attended the function because of its sensitivity, Tuanku was accompanied only by the State Secretary Datuk Mohd Aiseri Alias and his officers,” said the source.
“The Sultan is wise, he knows his role, he understands the situation so he has no plan to visit Gua Musang during the campaign period,” he added.
Meanwhile palace comptroller Datuk Abdul Halim Hamad, who also confirmed that no royal visit would take place in the constituency, clarified that the land titles awarded last week, were promised by the Sultan early last year when he was the crown prince.
“Those who received the titles were the Sultan’s subjects who applied directly to him, when he was the Tengku Mahkota,” said palace comptroller Datuk Abdul Halim Hamad.
“The applications were approved recently and Tuanku decided to personally hand over the titles as he was on his way to Kuala Lumpur,” he added.
Halim denied that the event was politically motivated.
“It has been his routine. Not just in Gua Musang, he has been travelling across the state to present gifts and aid to the needy,” said Halim.
“The palace is not involved in the campaign. They can say what they want, but the palace is above politics,” he added.
The Barisan Nasional’s (BN) Galas campaign is headed Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, a member of the Kelantan royal family.
Tengku Razaleigh, a grand-uncle of Sultan Muhammad, was dropped from the state council of succession for not attending the council’s meeting last month.
+24 Vote up Vote down
Halimatun Sadiah's avatar
Halimatun Sadiah · 8 hours ago
errr. didn't they do this during the Perak power grab?
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No Issue's avatar
No Issue · 8 hours ago
In the past this episode had happned and Y now become an issue?
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sempandai's avatar
sempandai · 8 hours ago
The Unspinners spin the story again, what a crap!!
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MainDuaBola's avatar - Go to profile
MainDuaBola 118p · 8 hours ago
I do not believe that HRH the Sultan of Kelantan can be manupulated. I strongly believe the Sultan has the raayat's interest at heart and want to go to the ground to be close to his subject. What is wrong with that. UMNO should have no cause to complain but to be thankful that in Kelantan we have such a caring Sultan.
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0 replies · active 8 hours ago
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Steven ong's avatar
Steven ong · 8 hours ago
What is wrong for the Sultan to hand over land titles when it is due to them? Either the people are blind or greedy to vote for money , land titles or gifts. If the people are immature, its the failure of government of the day to educate the people on integrity and righteousness. Malaysia had still a long way to go before it is up to the standard of Norway today.
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didi's avatar
didi · 8 hours ago
It is unfortunate if His Royal Highness the Sultan is used as a ‘tool’ by certain parties during a democratic process, especially in election. Elections is a fight between political parties and politicians"...
Hahahahaha but it's ok if they are doing your bidding UMNO?
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orangbiasa's avatar
orangbiasa · 8 hours ago
Oh ya..its really unfortunate that the Sultan and the palace is dragged into this!!!
"""Elections are a fight between the political parties"""
Remember what happened in Perak last year, when HM the Sultan of Perak clarified with 3 kataks in his palace of their status and caused the downfall of a legitimate people elected democratic government???? The voters wishes were ignored by the palace. What do you call that???? The precedent has already been set by BN...so don't complaint.
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pemandu teksi's avatar
pemandu teksi · 7 hours ago
they make noise coz new sultan is pro PAS....
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borneoheadhunter 101p · 7 hours ago
So UMNO is becoming grumpy because the Sultan is a fair person...
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Lesley Wan's avatar
Lesley Wan · 7 hours ago
eh, I thought the giving away of the land title by his Royal Highnest the Sultan has been planned long before the death of the assemblyman. Tak kan lah nak cancel the Sultan's plan. That is like getting involved in politics.
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7tony's avatar
7tony · 7 hours ago
Don't quarrel ! UMNO can also ask their chief to campaign with promises of "you help me I help you "
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fairplay lee's avatar
fairplay lee · 6 hours ago
Why does the government announced the low cost housing during this period in Kelantan? BN can do anything but when Pakatan is trying to do something for the people they will start complaining and drag the Sultan in. Please grow up BN.
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Ibrahim Al-katak's avatar
Ibrahim Al-katak · 5 hours ago
They can manipulate the palace but others can't. One country 2 system?
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2414's avatar
2414 · 4 hours ago
who is using the Sultan as a tool? pas or umno? umno by bringing up the issue has made a political ploy, as the Sultan had ALREADY done the presentation without ANY politician! using the same line of thought, umno has always used the prime minister and deputy prime minister of Malaysia as a tool. they always come with government goodies and pass them of as umno or barisan gifts! sheesh!! please ha . . ..ve some integrity
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APANAMA BAPA RACIS's avatar
APANAMA BAPA RACIS · 3 hours ago
UMNO will use whatever degrading means to win the election cos UMNO can't afford to lose putrajaya and will do whatever it takes to defend putrajaya as what Najib said !!!!!! Rakyat must come together as the MALAYSIAN PEOPLE POWER to VOTE OUT UMNO / BN in the next election !!!!
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