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KUALA LUMPUR: Former Malaysian prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin will give a police statement on Tuesday (Aug 20) over his recent remarks in Kelantan on the formation of the country’s current unity government, which allegedly touched on royal sensitivities.
Police have received several reports against Muhyiddin, including one from the Pahang palace, accusing him of questioning the role of Malaysia’s Yang di-Pertuan Agong in the formation of the government after the 15th general election (GE15) in November 2022.
Pahang state ruler Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Mustafa Billah Shah was king at the time and abdicated earlier this year under Malaysia’s unique rotational monarchy system.
“We have asked Muhyiddin to give his statement on August 20 to assist in the investigation,” Malaysian national news agency Bernama quoted Malaysia’s Inspector-General of Police Razaruddin Hussein as saying, adding that there were 29 complaints against the former prime minister.
Muhyiddin is the current chairman of the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Bersatu) and served as the eighth Prime Minister of Malaysia from March 2020 to August 2021.
It was reported that on August 15, on the eve of the Kelantan State Legislative Assembly by-election, Muhyiddin gave a speech at Felda Perasu in which he questioned the formation of the current unity government after the 15th General Election. The video has gone viral online.
“I had the support of 115 MPs. If we abide by the constitution, I had enough support to become prime minister. I don’t want to bring it up, but it’s a historical record.
“But I don’t know why the king did not invite me to the palace to take the oath of office at that time. Who was the king at that time? The King of Pahang,” said Muhyiddin, referring to Sultan Abdullah of Pahang state.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page on Monday afternoon, Muhyiddin said his speech in Nigiri was a statement of fact and was not intended to insult the royal institution or incite the public.
“I believe my statement does not violate any national laws. I will fully cooperate with the police to clarify the facts in the statement,” he said.
Earlier on Monday, Pahang Crown Prince Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah said Muhyiddin’s initial remarks were cynical, harmful and dangerous.
“The statement seemed very immature and reflected his inability to accept the fact that he had not been appointed prime minister,” he said, adding that the comments stoked distrust in the Malay royal institution.
Tengku Hassanal also called on the police to take action against Muhyiddin, who is Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman.
The PN coalition, which comprises Bersatu, Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) and Malaysian Islamic Party (Gerama), won 74 seats in the 15th general election.
During his five years as Malaysia’s king, Sultan Abdullah oversaw one of the most turbulent periods in Malaysian politics, with four prime ministers serving under him.
In February last year, Sultan Abdullah said he had given elected lawmakers ample space to work together to reach a consensus for the country’s future based on the principle of unity.
“In accordance with the Federal Constitution … I agree to the appointment of Anwar Ibrahim as the 10th prime minister of Malaysia,” news portal The Star quoted him as saying at the time.
Anwar was sworn in as prime minister on November 24, 2022, after the 15th general election failed to produce a clear winner and resulted in a hung parliament. He currently leads a coalition government consisting of his Pakatan Harapan coalition and the previous ruling coalition, the Barisan Nasional (BN).
Other political parties and alliances currently supporting the coalition government include Parti Pribumi Sarawak (GPS), Parti Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan).
The Star quoted Sultan Abdullah as saying at the time that he had no intention of interfering in national politics and that he was only carrying out his duties as king.
“If the incident that led to the resignation of the seventh prime minister had not occurred, I believe the political turmoil that lasted until the 15th general election could have been avoided.
“More importantly, the political crisis that has plagued the country for nearly four years could have been avoided if elected representatives and politicians were willing to put aside their differences and unite for the people and country we love,” the king said.
In 2020, the “Sheraton Operation” tore down Mahathir Mohamad’s government from within. Part of the plot was reportedly planned at the Sheraton Hotel in Petaling Jaya.
The move led to the defection of more than 30 lawmakers from the ruling Pakatan Harapan (PH), resulting in the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan party which had been in power for just 22 months.
The next two governments lasted 17 months under Muhyiddin and 15 months under Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
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