Malaysia police submit probe into ex-PM Muhyiddin’s remarks on former king’s role in government formation to AGC

SINGAPORE:  Malaysia police’s probe into comments made by former Malaysian prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin regarding the formation of the current government which allegedly touched upon royal sensitivities has been handed over to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for further action.

Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said that 66 people have had their statements taken as part of the investigations.

“We have also recorded Muhyiddin’s statement, and he has answered all the questions. The investigation papers have also been submitted to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for further action,” he was quoted as saying by state news agency Bernama on Wednesday (Aug 21).

Earlier in the day, Muhyiddin – who is currently the president of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) – gave his statement to the police after he was summoned over recent remarks he made in Kelantan in the lead-up to a state legislative by-election there last week.

Several police reports were lodged against Muhyiddin – including by the Pahang Palace – for purportedly questioning the role of Malaysia’s king in the formation of the government following the 15th General Election (GE15) in November 2022.

Pahang ruler Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah was the king during that period and stepped down earlier this year under Malaysia’s unique rotational monarch system.

The New Straits Times reported that there were currently 30 reports lodged against Muhyiddin, involving investigations under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act, Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act, and Section 504 of the Penal Code.

In a clip of his speech that was reported to have been made on Aug 15, Muhyiddin – who is also the chairman of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) opposition coalition – questioned the formation of the current unity government following GE15.

In the clip, Muhyiddin stressed that he had the support of 115 parliamentarians to form Malaysia’s next government. The video has since gone viral.

It led to Pahang Crown Prince Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah calling on the police to act against the former premier for remarks he said incited distrust in the Malay royal institution.

Following his questioning by the police on Aug 21, Muhyiddin said in a Facebook post that he had “no intention at all to insult” the Malay royal institution and declared his royalty to the monarchy.

“As an ordinary citizen, I take shelter under the majesty and glory of the Malay kings, and my loyalty to the institution of the constitutional monarch should not be questioned,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil told local media that Muhyiddin’s predicament has put his party in bad light.

“I personally witnessed the former prime minister’s speech on TikTok live. If I’m not mistaken, the broadcaster is the PAS party channel. So, if you want to blame any party, blame PAS for broadcasting the speech on TikTok Live,” Mr Fahmi was quoted as saying by Malay Mail, referring to the Islamist Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS).

PAS is a component party of PN alongside Muhyiddin’s Bersatu and the Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (Gerakan).

Separately, Lawyers for Liberty – a human rights and law reform non-governmental organisation – called on the government to drop its investigation into the former prime minister under the Sedition Act.

“In a democracy, the exercise of a constitutional duty of power cannot be beyond discussion or criticism as it must not be forgotten that the king is a constitutional monarch,” its director Zaid Malek said on Aug 21, as reported by the Star.

Mr Zaid added: “The Prime Minister and the government should not condemn Muhyiddin for this nor should they permit the use of the Sedition Act.”