KUANTAN: No one is above the law, not even royalty.
This is what Tengku Mahkota of Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah had to say on reports that a construction worker was assaulted by a group of men which allegedly included a member of the royalty.
"I take a serious view of the viral news on social media linking a member of the Pahang royal family along with a group of individuals who had allegedly attacked someone by the name Alias Awang using sharp weapons and a pistol resulting in injuries here.
He urged police to conduct a detailed probe immediately, transparently, fairly and to not compromise with any quarter so that justice is served.
"If there is proof of any wrongdoing, it (the individual) has to be charged in court.
"All persons are equal before the law and I will never protect anyone including royalties who are engaged in any criminal, and unlawful actions," he said in a statement.
Earlier, Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman said they were fine-tuning the investigation papers as instructed by the Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP).
It was reported today a 44-year-old man claimed he was assaulted by 20 people including a member of the royalty at a stable in June.
He alleged the assault was linked to a dispute over land in Rompin.
Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman said the Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) had returned investigation papers on the incident to police, with instructions for some necessary action to be taken.
Kuantan police chief Assistant Commissioner Wan Mohd Zahari Wan Busu said the incident is investigated under sections 324 and 148 of the Penal Code for assault and rioting with a weapon.