KOTA BARU: The Kelantan palace has dismissed claims that there was political interference in its decision to revoke the titles from three opposition leaders recently.
Source said the decision to withdraw the titles, awarded to Parti Amanah Negara (PAN) vice president Datuk Husam Musa, PAN Kelantan chairman, Wan Abdul Rahim Wan Abdullah and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, was made by the palace.
They pointed out that the decision came following the consent of the Sultan Muhammad V, who is also the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Therefore, the sources said the issue of political interference did not arise.
"The palace will not be issuing any more statement on the revocation of the Darjah Kerabat Al-Yunusi (DK) awarded to Tun Mahathir from now on.
"The palace will also keep mum on the two other politicians who got their awards revoked recently.
"There will be no more statement (coming from the palace) and we hope there will be no more question on this." said the sources.
It was reported that the Darjah Kerabat Al-Yunusi (DK) title awarded to Dr Mahathir, was revoked effective last Tuesday.
The award was given to the former prime minister in 2002 by then state ruler Sultan Ismail Petra, who is the father of Sultan Muhammad V.
Husam and Wan Abdul Rahim had their Darjah Kebesaran Jiwa Mahkota Kelantan Yang Amat Mulia (DJMK) (Al-Ismaili II) Ahli Yang Kedua which carries the title Datuk Paduka stripped off.
Meanwhile, other sources said the revocation of Wan Abdul Rahim's award among others could be due his decision to bring a Kelantan royalty to the party's 'ceramah'.
"Apart from him, Husam had also introduced the member of the royal family as the uncle of the King. They claimed the man had joined PAN since September 2016," said the sources.
The sources said Wan Abdul Rahim was also alleged to have placed the state crest on his four-wheel-drive vehicle which caused the palace to be unhappy.
Meanwhile, Wan Abdul Rahim when contacted denied that party was trying to capitalise on the 'royal connection'.
"The man joined PAN 'ceramah' including in Pasir Mas and Rantau Panjang after being invited by one of his friend." he said.