The government will always respect and defend the royal institution, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said on the birthday of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.

During his speech at the Istana Negara this morning, Mahathir emphasised that Putrajaya will protect the position of Islam, as well as the rights of bumiputera and other races as stipulated in the constitution.

Mahathir said Putrajaya aims to strengthen the unity among the different ethnic groups in the country, and that the rakyat today are also more mature in facing threats to national harmony.