No official word on Agong’s abdication, says Dr Mahathir


Alfian Z.M. Tahir Mohd Farhan Darwis

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad at a press conference after the Pakatan Harapan presidential council meeting today. Dr Mahathir says the government is unaware of the Agong's plan to abdicate. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, January 4, 2019.

DR Mahathir Mohamad has no knowledge of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V’s rumoured intention to abdicate.

The prime minister said he, too, heard the rumours and stressed that he did not receive any official information on the matter.

“Like you, I have heard rumours.

“I didn’t receive letters or any official indication about anything, so I am not going to talk about it,” he said when asked by reporters about the matter after the Pakatan Harapan presidential council meeting today.

Rumours of the king’s abdication have been circulating on social media and certain blogs ahead of a special meeting convened by the Conference of Rulers last night, purportedly to discuss a matter regarding the monarchy.

The rumours also follow unverified news of the king’s marriage overseas to a former Russian model during his leave last month. The palace has neither confirmed nor denied the news.

Sources had told the New Straits Times that the Conference of Rulers met last night but did not reveal details of the discussion.

Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah yesterday brushed off rumours about the king’s abdication. Sultan Muhammad V is also the Sultan of Kelantan.

“The state government has no knowledge. If it’s a rumour, don’t believe it,” he said. – January 4, 2019.    


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Comments


  • Sultan of Kelantan not Kedah!

    Posted 5 years ago by Sharizal Shaarani · Reply

  • He is the Ruler of Kelantan. Not Kedah.

    Posted 5 years ago by Julian Nanang Gani · Reply

  • Second last para should refer to SultyMuhammad V as the Sultan of Kelantan, and not Kedah.

    Posted 5 years ago by Firdaus Suffian Abdul Latif · Reply

  • Why is people interested if he abdicates or not? I don't think it makes any difference.

    Posted 5 years ago by Anonymous 1234 · Reply

  • What's the point of exalting a particular human being above all others? Pretty ridiculous tradition, if you ask me.

    Posted 5 years ago by Antares Maitreya · Reply

    • Pretty genius to tie the tradition to religion. Cant end the tradition without insulting the religion?

      Posted 5 years ago by P P · Reply