PAHANG REGENT UPSET WITH MAHFUZ; MP APOLOGISES TO SULTAN
KUANTAN: The Regent of Pahang Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah yesterday expressed his disappointment over Pokok Sena member of parliament Datuk Mahfuz Omar’s action of insulting Sultan Ahmad Shah during a recent political talk.
He said the politician should know his limits and needed to respect an elderly person, especially when it involved a sultan.
“I am upset with the member of parliament, who did not show respect towards someone who is older than him.
“Based on what he spoke, he (Mahfuz) went against the culture of the Muslim community. As Muslims, we have been taught to respect the elderly, especially a sultan, since he is younger than my father,” he said after visiting three homes which were razed in a fire at Taman Sungai Isap 2 here.
Tengku Abdullah said police were investigating the MP after receiving several reports.
“Besides the statement by the politician, I am angry and offended by a video recorded in the palace and will take action against those responsible for it.”
Last week, a video of Sultan Ahmad Shah resting in bed during his birthday celebration had gone viral on social media.
Mahfuz was captured on video speaking on the health of the ruler and the clip subsequently went viral.
Meanwhile, Pekan division Umno yesterday lodged a police report demanding that Mahfuz seek permission from the palace for an audience with Sultan Ahmad Shah over his recent statement.
Its secretary, Datuk Ahmad Azmey Abu Talib, said the politician should meet the ruler and apologise for comparing former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the Pahang sultan.
“As residents of Pekan, which is the royal town, we are upset with Mahfuz’s action for not showing respect towards the royal institution,” he said, adding that they would accept Mahfuz’s apology only if the sultan accepted it.
Meanwhile, Mahfuz has apologised to the sultan over the issue.
“I did not intend to insult the sultan. In fact, I hold him in high esteem.
“If what I had said incurred the wrath of the Sultan of Pahang, I beg for forgiveness for my carelesness and I pray for his wellbeing as the ruler and leader of Pahang Darul Makmur,” he said in a statement.
Mahfuz said his comment was based on the intention of the opposition to nominate Dr Mahathir as the candidate for prime minister to replace Datuk Seri Najib Razak after the 14th General Election.
“Our proposal is logical and reasonable because age is not a barrier to success and action.”