IPOH, MALAYSIA - The Mentri Besar will apologise to the Sultan of Perak over the hasty transfer of Perak Religious Department (JAIP) director Datuk Jamry Sury without first consulting the Ruler, who is the head of Islam in the state.

Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, in a statement, said: "I fully respect and will always humbly abide with whatever the Sultan's decision.

"I will seek an audience with His Royal Highness to hand over my letter of apology as soon as possible."

Meanwhile, Jamry has yet to receive a letter reinstating him as JAIP director, although he said he has been asked to meet state secretary Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Hashim tomorrow.

He declined to comment on the controversy surrounding his transfer within 24 hours to the State Secretariat and subsequent reappointment as head of JAIP just four days later.

"I have been advised against speaking on the matter by the state secretary," he said yesterday.

On Friday, Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah ordered Mohammad Nizar to reinstate Jamry as JAIP director with immediate effect.

The Regent of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, acting on orders from the Sultan and in his capacity as Perak Malay Customs and Religious Council chairman, summoned Nizar to his palace at 11am on Friday to convey the order to him.