Muhyiddin: My speech was factual, didn't mean to insult ex-Agong

Former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin has defended his controversial speech, insisting that he had in no way diminished the esteemed role of the Pahang sultan, who served as Agong during the 15th general election.

Addressing the issue on Facebook, the Perikatan Nasional chairperson clarified that his speech during the Nenggiri by-election on Aug 15 was not intended to incite sedition.

"I believe my statement did not violate any laws of the country. I will fully cooperate with the police to clarify the facts surrounding my remarks.

"I would like to emphasise that my speech in Nenggiri was a statement of fact that was not intended to insult the royal institution or incite sedition," he said.

Earlier today, Pahang Crown Prince Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah expressed his displeasure with Muhyiddin's speech and urged the police to take action against the Pagoh MP for allegedly belittling and disputing Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah's duties while he was the king.

He called Muhyiddin's statement immature, suggesting that the former premier could not accept that he was not appointed prime minister.

Tengku Hassanal’s private secretary Amir Syafiq Hamzah lodged a police report on the matter at the Kuantan police station last night.

Ex-PM to meet cops tomorrow

The police have summoned Muhyiddin to provide a statement tomorrow regarding his speech, which is alleged to have addressed sensitive 3R issues (race, religion, royalty).

Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain announced yesterday that the police had received 29 reports from various parties concerning the issue.

During his speech at Felda Perasu in Kelantan, Muhyiddin claimed he had the support of 115 MPs to form a government but was thwarted by Sultan Abdullah.

He added that despite having enough votes to become prime minister, he was unsure why Sultan Abdullah did not invite him to the palace to be sworn in.

“It’s not that I want to bring up the past, but it is recorded history.

“But I don’t know how… the Agong back then didn’t invite me to the palace to get sworn in. Who was the previous Agong? It’s (from) Pahang lah,” Muhyiddin was reported as saying, referring to Sultan Abdullah.

It’s important to highlight that the Pahang ruler had extended an offer to Muhyiddin to form a coalition government with Anwar's Pakatan Harapan, but the Pagoh MP outright rejected the proposal. - Mkini