DAP candidate denies insulting Pahang royalty, blames Umno

 

DAP candidate for Lipis, Tengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puji, has denied insulting the Pahang royalty during a speech last week.

He said this was all a spin on his remarks initiated by Umno.

“You can all review my speech. I didn’t say the palace was this or that. My speech was straightforward.

“I only mentioned the Orang Besar Berempat, and that in that institution there was a noble who committed wrongdoing, for example, so it is embarrassing since I too am from Pahang.

“I don’t think there is an insult whatsoever. I think this is spin, about the palace and religion, because of the election,” Zulpuri (above) told reporters in Kuala Lumpur today.

The Orang Besar Berempat refers to a group of four Pahang nobles - of which convicted former premier Najib Abdul Razak is one.

Najib's title in the group specifically is Orang Kaya Indera Shahbandar.

The former Pekan MP is currently serving 12 years in jail over his conviction in the RM42 million SRC International corruption case.

Last Thursday, during a Pakatan Harapan ceramah in Mentakab, Zulpuri had claimed there were thieves among members of the Pahang palace, and that the Malays of the state should be ashamed of this.

"You should be ashamed, I am ashamed because the villain, the big thief, is from Pahang.

"Orang Besar Berempat Pahang is a thief, a palace member (orang Istana).

"The Agong is from Pahang, the thief is also from Pahang, originating from the palace, the Orang Besar Berempat," he said.

Zulpuri also appeared to implicate a Pahang "Tengku", but it is unclear who the Tengku is.

Tengku is commonly used as a hereditary Malay name and title among those with royal ancestry.

However, as he clarified today, the Orang Besar Berempat is a reference to Najib.

Police reports

Zulpuri's remarks have prompted police reports to be lodged against him, including by a royalty wellbeing association.

The association was reported as saying that Zulpuri’s remarks had, among others, given the impression that all four Orang Besar Berempat were thieves.

The Sedition Act states that causing hatred or contempt against any ruler can be considered a "seditious tendency" which is punishable with a minimum of three years in jail.

While the law specifically mentions "ruler", the act has been used against those who speak out against other members of the royal household.

Further, a much-criticised element of the Sedition Act is that the accused's intent is irrelevant to the charges.

Earlier this morning, Zulpuri was announced as DAP’s candidate for the Lipis parliamentary seat in the upcoming 15th general election. He is also expected to contest a state seat.

If he wins in either seat, a sedition conviction would disqualify the DAP leader if he is unable to stay the sentencing or exhaust all avenues for appeal. - Mkini