Sultan of Selangor Tuanku Sharafuddin Idris Shah

PETALING JAYA (Mach 16, 2010): Sultan of Selangor Tuanku Sharafuddin Idris Shah is keeping everyone guessing as to whether he will endorse Malay nationalist group Perkasa by launching its Selangor chapter on March 27.

Sources say this is because the Selangor Sultan is concerned over the image the organisation has as a "chauvinist" group.

After a 40-minute meeting with Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali at Istana Mastika this morning, the sultan was non-committal on whether he will be gracing the launch.

A source said despite pleas by Ibrahim to attend the launch, the Sultan said he will not be rushed into making a decision.

The source said the Ruler expressed his concerns to Ibrahim, the Pasir Mas MP, and advised him to be less "ultra".

It is understood that Tuanku Sharafuddin was also displeased that invitations to the launch stated that the Sultan will be officiating when the palace had yet to give an official response.

"Tuanku has no problems with anyone campaigning for the rights of the Malays or any particular community but in doing so, one must not be seen to be a racist," said another source.

The source added that there have been many appeals from many parties including representatives in Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat for Tuanku not to attend the function.

"They fear that Tuanku will be used by irresponsible parties to further their end. At the same time, while he is the protector of Malays and Islam, Tuanku is also aware that he is the ruler of all Selangorians and is very particular that his words and actions must be that of an all-encompassing ruler," said the source.

Ibrahim Ali

When contacted, Ibrahim declined to comment on what transpired at the meeting.

"It is a private matter. Why is it important for you to know?" asked Ibrahim before ending the call.

At Perkasa Selangor’s assembly last month, Ibrahim had told the 2,000 delegates that the Sultan had agreed to officiate Perkasa’s national assembly.

Perkasa, which claims to be non-political, represents those seeking to defend the constitutional position of the Malays and the "social contract".

Tuanku Sharafuddin is expected to make his decision in a week. -- theSun