SHAH ALAM: Former Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohammad Khir Toyo's datukship title has been revoked by the Sultan of Selangor effective on Sept 30 after he was found guilty of corrupt practices by the Federal Court in Putrajaya.
Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah made the decision after consulting with the Council of the Royal Court.
"The Darjah Kebesaran Seri Paduka Mahkota Selangor (S.P.M.S) Kelas Pertama which brings the title Datuk Seri conferred on Dr Mohammad Khir Toyo on 2001 has been withdrawn and cancelled effective on Sept 30.
"The withdrawal was based on the Federal Court's decision on Sept 22, where it upheld the (Shah Alam) High Court's conviction and the same court on Sept 29 sentenced Dr Mohd Khir to a year's imprisonment.
"Considering that he has been convicted, he is no longer qualified and befit to hold the title," said State Secretary Datuk Mohammed Khusrin Munawi in a press statement, here, today.
Therefore, he said Dr Mohammad Khir is prohibited from using the award and the Datuk Seri title.
Khusrin said other parties are also prohibited from calling him with the title as it has been revoked by the Sultan of Selangor in exercise of the powers conferred by Article XXXIX of the Laws of the Constitution of Selangor, 1959 and related statute.
"The Sultan of Selangor seriously regards the reputation of Selangor state award recipients especially the country's and the state's leaders who are involved in unsavoury behaviour and actions such as corruption, fraud, and abuse of power.
"The state award recipients must not be involved in misconducts and criminal activities to protect the prestige of the award and the recipients' status," he said.
In 2011, Dr Khir claimed that he has returned the Seri Paduka Mahkota Selangor medal to avoid dishonouring it during his graft trial.
He claimed that he had written to the palace asking to return the medal temporarily and that the Council of the Royal Court agreed to his request.
However, Khusrin said the title was suspended until his trial was over and Khir's statement was misleading.