A statement from the Kelantan Palace said that the sultan also called on the people of the state to pray for the health of his father, Sultan Ismail Petra, who is unwell.

“May God protect and bless the people of Kelantan and Malaysia,” said the statement.

In the statement, the palace expressed regret over the dissemination of personal pictures of Sultan Muhammad V and inappropriate posts regarding his personal life on social media.

Royal Comptroller of the Kelantan Palace Nik Mohd Shafriman Nik Hassan said it denies all false and malicious statements published alongside the photographs.

He said although it is not customary for the palace to clarify rumours on social media, the palace decided to clear the turmoil deliberately created to confuse the people.

“Again, the royal household calls on the people to not be easily influenced by untrue and defamatory statements against the sultan.

“Only the official statements from the palace and counsel to the sultan can be considered as accurate and applicable to the people and media practitioners,” Nik Shafriman said in the statement.

He said the slanderous posts had tarnished the reputation of the Kelantan sultanate and the royal family.