The Regent of Pahang is not involved in a supposed ‘teh tarik’ session which was supposed to take place in Melaka tomorrow as the rift between Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Ibrahim widens.
It is understood no consent was obtained to publish Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah’s picture in the flyer which was shared by Umno supreme council member Lokman Noor Adam “nor is he (Tengku Hassanal) involved”.
The ‘Santai Teh Tarik Bersama 4 Putra Mahkota’ flyer has the images of Tengku Hassanal, Tunku Ismail, an unidentified prince and Selangor’s Tengku Amir Shah Sharafuddin.
The flyer invites the public to have tea with the four princes and to take pictures with them at Mahkota Parade in Bandar Hilir, Melaka at 5.30pm.
The Crown Prince of Selangor’s office issued a statement, which was also posted on its Instagram @selangorroyalofficial, denying Tengku Amir was involved in the tea session, adding the usage of Tengku Amir’s picture without consent is “regretted”.
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The statement was signed by Tengku Amir’s private secretary Saidatul Asyikin Muhammad Johar.
Malaysiakini, quoting a source, said Lokman has no role in the event but was seen to have “hijacked” it.
Lokman clarified on Facebook that the programme is not organised by Umno but by the ‘palace’. He did not specify which palace.
He said he received the “poster from a friend who is close with the Crown Prince of Johor’s team” and had circulated the flyer, stating he will attend.
Lokman said he was merely spreading the message and “didn’t want people to say the programme did not receive a good turnout”.
The event comes at a time when the relationship between Putrajaya and certain members of the royal family is frosty.
The Star’s Joceline Tan, in her article ‘Johor govt turbulence spills over to Bersatu’ published on April 25 wrote: “It is also learnt that the (Johor) palace has met state Umno chief Datuk Hasni Mohammad to ask him to hold roadshows to explain the state constitution to the people.”
The strained relationship between the federal government and the Johor palace is expected to widen following Dr Mahathir’s comments against Tunku Ismail in China today.
Responding to Tunku Ismail’s comment that he rather change the Prime Minister than Johor Darul Ta’zim head coach Benjamin Mora Mendivil, Dr Mahathir said: “The Crown Prince can be changed but only the people can change the Prime Minister, not those who think they are big. He is not big, he is small.
“If he wants to vote, then vote and (try to) cause my downfall.”
