Former Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has been charged with sedition for remarks made about the country’s former king. The charge was filed on Tuesday in Kelantan, where Muhyiddin appeared in court and pleaded not guilty.

Muhyiddin, who served as Malaysia’s Prime Minister from March 2020 to August 2021, is accused of making seditious comments during a speech last month. The allegations stem from his comments made during a by-election campaign in Kelantan.

Malaysia’s monarchy consists of nine ethnic Malay rulers who rotate as king every five years. This system has been in place since Malaysia’s independence from Britain in 1957. While the monarchy holds a ceremonial position, it is highly respected by the country’s majority Muslim population.

In his speech on August 14, Muhyiddin questioned why Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, the then-king, did not appoint him as Prime Minister after a hung Parliament in November 2022. Muhyiddin claimed he had the support of the majority of lawmakers. However, Sultan Abdullah appointed Anwar Ibrahim, the leader of the opposition, who managed to form a unity government with support from rival parties.

Sultan Abdullah, who hails from central Pahang state, has not publicly commented on the case. His son, however, criticized Muhyiddin’s remarks, stating they were dangerous and could undermine public trust in the monarchy. Muhyiddin has denied any intention to insult the royal family, maintaining that his comments were based on factual matters.

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