Perak,Malaysia: Friday.
The Chief Minister of the state of Perak, one of the states controlled by the Opposition Coalition in Malaysia, Nizar Jamaluddin, found out that revenge is costly.
Last week, Nizar Jamaluddin, requested to Perak’s Director Of Islamic Affairs, that he [the Chief Minister] be allowed to read Prayer Sermons and lead Friday Prayers at a mosque in the state. The Director, Jamry, did not permit him as there were regulations pertaining to reading of Friday Sermons that must be adhered to.
Protocol-wise, The Chief Minister is higher in rank than the Director.
Angered at not being obeyed, the Chief Minister[Nizar], removed Jamry [the Director] and transferred him to a lower position. In actual fact , this Director was being demoted.
Eventhough, The Department of Islamic Affairs, is a department in the state Government, the Sultan or King has the final say and not the Chief Minister.
When the Chief Minister made the decision to demote the Director of JAIP [Perak Islamic Affairs deparment] he did not consult ar seek approval of the Sultan.
In conformation to the Federal Constitution of which the King or Agong has the final say on matters pertaining to the religion of Islam, The Perak state constitution also placed Islam under the purview of the Sultan.
In the case above, the Chief Minister [Nizar] did not adhere to regulation, convention and work-culture. Furthermore, his action was construed as a slap on the royalty. To make matters worse, his action was seen as being high-handed and malicious.
The consequence was that the Palace felt being provoked and immediately decreed the transfer and demotion as irregular. The Director was to be reinstated to his former position.
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