KUALA LUMPUR: Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today said his loyalty to the constitutional monarchy should not be questioned.
Muhyiddin, who is Bersatu president, said as an ordinary citizen, he took shelter under the greatness and nobility of the Malay rulers.
"So my loyalty to the constitutional monarchy should not be questioned," he said in a statement after being questioned by the police today.
The former prime minister said his speech during the recent Nenggiri by-election was never intended to insult the royal institution.
"It was an election campaign speech where I provided an overview of the government formation following the 15th General Election (GE15) and addressed the hardships faced by the people due to oppressive government policies.
"However, some parties have distorted my speech by editing the video to make it appear as though I had insulted the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah (Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah) and incited hatred against His Majesty.
"In my statement to the police today, I clarified that the accusation was completely untrue and made with ill intent.
"I was only stating the facts regarding the 115 statutory declarations from Dewan Rakyat members for me to be appointed as prime minister after GE15.
"There was not a single word in my speech that insulted the king or challenged the decision made at that time."
He added that these events occurred nearly two years ago, and throughout that period, he had never incited the public to insult or hate the constitutional monarchy.
He also emphasised that he had never demanded the prime ministerial position.
"In fact, on Nov 24, I issued a statement congratulating the 10th prime minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim)."
Earlier today, the Pagoh member of parliament had his statement taken by the police at his office at the Malaysian Investment Development Authority here, in connection with an investigation into his ceramah.
Muhyiddin said with his explanation to the police and the documents he had handed over to them, he hoped the police would investigate in a transparent, fair and just manner.
A speech by him allegedly questioning the sovereignty of Al-Sultan Abdullah during his time as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong had gone viral.
On Monday, Tengku Mahkota of Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah expressed his anger and deep regret at the action of Muhyiddin, whom he claimed had belittled and disputed the duties and role of Al-Sultan Abdullah when he was king.
Tengku Hassanal said he wanted the police to take action against Muhyiddin for touching on 3R (royalty, religion, and race) issues