BERSATU supreme council member A. Kadir Jasin, who is in police crosshairs over his blog post on expenses allegedly incurred by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, said the authorities are free to talk to anyone.

The veteran newsman said so far, no one has called him.

“I have not received any calls about my post. Maybe, they don’t have my number,” he told The Malaysian Insight today.

Earlier, Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun said Kadir will be investigated for defamation and the improper use of network facilities over his blog post.

Kadir, who is in charge of media and communications in the Council of Eminent Persons, recently wrote an article that touched on Malay rulers.

He claimed that for 16 months until April this year, RM256.9 million had been allocated for the Agong for the purposes of accommodation, maintenance of residence and palace, personal items, aircraft and transportation, training and escort equipment, clothing and ceremonial items, gifts and souvenirs, overseas visits and salaries of palace staff.

However, he did not state the source of his information.

The blog post has attracted criticism, including from Pakatan Harapan de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Yesterday, a Facebook page called “Friends of Istana Negara” hit out at Kadir.

“We are very disappointed over the recent unverified… news being spread about the spending of His Royal Majesty, the Agong of Malaysia. Such news seems be casting aspersions on the administration and expenses of Istana Negara,” it said in a post.

“It seems like an effort by certain quarters to undermine the reputation of His Royal Majesty and his role as the defender of the constitution of Malaysia and the rights of Malays and Bumiputeras and all citizens of Malaysia. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state of our beloved Malaysia.”

The post cited Kadir’s article, which claimed that more than a quarter billion ringgit was spent on the Agong and palace.

“We would like to provide clarification on this, as the official expenses of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong from December 16, 2016, until April 30, 2018, (a period of 16 and a half months) amounted to RM79,284,717.50.

“This is the actual cost, as provided by the official royal household, which is available for public scrutiny, and not some made-up and unverified news.

“The expenses include the costs incurred by the royal household for the conduct of official duties, including diplomatic visits by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to various heads of state to garner good relations between Malaysia and other countries.”

It said the costs also covered the Agong’s installation ceremony, as well as the training of his security detail.

It added that the money spent “compares very modestly to the costs incurred by other monarchies around the world”, like Thailand and Britain.

“We call upon our fellow citizens to ignore and report this vitriol news being circulated to undermine the role of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, to protect Malaysia and all Malaysians.

“Please report all fake and unverified news to the appropriate authorities, for them to take the necessary action.”

Earlier today, Kadir, in a blog post, responded to Anwar’s criticism, saying people should read his original articles on the subject. – June 7, 2018.