Malaysian sultans in rare intervention on intolerance

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s nine state sultans have issued a rare statement expressing concern about “divisive actions” in the name of Islam, as fears grow of rising intolerance in the multi-ethnic country.

Referring to a controversy last month over laundrettes in two states which banned non-Muslim customers, the revered sultans urged people to follow principles set out in the country’s constitution which say respect must be accorded to everyone regardless of their faith or ethnicity.