KUALA LUMPUR – Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has defended his ceramah speech during the Nenggiri by-election as “factual” with no intent to insult the former Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“My speech was a statement of fact that did not mean to insult the royal institution or stir any incitement.
“I believe my statement does not violate any law of the country,” he said in a statement.
The Bersatu president and Pagoh MP is under fire and is due to give his statement to the police tomorrow for speaking about the former Agong, Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, while campaigning for PN in the recent by-election.
Muhyiddin’s comments, which were recorded in a video posted on TikTok, were on how he had enough support from MPs to be prime minister but Sultan Abdullah did not invite him to form the federal government after the 2022 general election.
The former prime minister said today he was ready to give his full cooperation to the police.
Twenty-nine police reports have been lodged against Muhyiddin for touching on 3R (race, religion, royalty) issues, according to Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain yesterday.
Among those who have lodged police reports are the Pekan Umno Youth and Puteri wings in Pahang, as well as was DAP lawmaker R.S.N. Rayer, the Jelutong MP, who called for Muhyiddin to be investigated for sedition.
The PN chief faced a new barrage of criticism today, including a royal rebuke from Pahang crown prince, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
More calls for police investigations into Muhyiddin came today from Pahang Pakatan Harapan (PH) head Fuziah Salleh and Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh.
Fuziah in a statement said Muhyiddin should apologise to the Pahang royal house for his inappropriate words, while the police conduct a thorough investigation.
Akmal, meanwhile, said Muhyiddin had created negative perceptions and doubts about Sultan Abdullah’s competence as a head of state, and urged the police to take action against the PN chairman.
Muhyiddin’s allies in PN, namely PAS, his own party Bersatu, and Gerakan should also state if they each agree with his remarks, Akmal added. – August 19, 2024