KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) is standing by its president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin over his speech during the Nenggiri by-election that allegedly touched on issues related to race, religion and royalty (3R).
Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said the party stands behind Muhyiddin and his statements.
Hamzah, also the opposition leader, said Muhyiddin's claim that 115 members of parliament supported him to be prime minister after the 15th General Election were factual.
"That is a fact and a truth that cannot be denied, and Tan Sri Muhyiddin was stating a fact", he said in a statement today.
Hamzah also denied any claims of sedition against the monarchy by Bersatu and Perikatan Nasiona (PN).
"We have never in our meetings attempted to incite the people. On the contrary, we are always with the people in fighting for their fate.
"We stand strong behind the president in the principle of defending the institution of the constitutional monarchy and the sovereignty of the law", he said.
On Monday, Tengku Mahkota of Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah expressed anger and deep regret over Muhyiddin's remarks made during the Nenggiri by-election.
Tengku Hassanal said Muhyiddin's remarks had deliberately belittled and disputed the duties and role of the Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah - during his reign as the King - in appointing Malaysia's 10th prime minister.
Several police reports have since been lodged against Muhyiddin.
Muhyiddin, during questioning by police, had furnished related documents submitted to Istana Negara, which included 115 statutory declarations (SDs) from members of parliament backing him for the prime minister role.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim clarified that the number of SDs by the MPs was contentious as some had allegedly signed multiple SDs.