KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad says the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V has returned to resume his duties as the supreme head of state.
“Yes, as far as I know (the Agong is back to resume his duties),” the prime minister said.
He said this at a media conference today when asked over the Agong’s status concerning rumours that he would step down from the throne.
Sultan Muhammad V was on leave seeking treatment abroad for two months beginning Nov 2, and his duties was temporarily taken over by the Deputy Agong, Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah.
Sultan Nazrin’s tenure as acting Agong ended on Dec 31.
Dr Mahathir was responding to questions on rumours circulating on social media that Sultan Muhammad V would be abdicating his position as the Agong soon.
On rumours of a special meeting held on Wednesday night and today among the nation’s rulers on the position of the current Agong,Dr Mahathir said :” I do not know.”
When asked on the veracity of the rumours, Dr Mahathir said he too had heard the same.
“Like you, I heard rumours. I did not receive any letters, any indication about anything, so I am not going to talk about rumours.”
On whether should there be a new acting Agong if the ruler had not returned to resume duties, Dr Mahathir said that would be decided the Conference of Rulers.
Dr Mahathir had earlier chaired Pakatan Harapan Presidential Council at Yayasan Al-Bukhary here.
During the Agong’s leave, viral reports surfaced on claims that he had tied the knot to Russian beauty queen Oksana Voevodina, in a lavish ceremony in Moscow.
When asked about this at the time, Dr Mahathir declined to comment as he did not have any official confirmation on the matter.