A statement from the Pahang palace said the sultan considered the report to be slanderous and could have negative implications that could spark disharmony.

“His Royal Highness stressed that his speech at the Chenor Agricultural Academy in Maran, was not what was reported by the news portal,” said the statement, issued by the comptroller of the royal household, Major General Zahari Yahya.

He said the sultan’s remarks were not directed at any political party and were general in nature. “It was a reminder that the sanctity of a mosque should always be preserved.”

The palace statement was in response to an article with the headline “Sultan Pahang beri amaran terhadap amalan bawaan PAS” (Pahang Sultan warns against PAS practices) published on March 29.

Zahari said Sultan Abdullah also reminded media practitioners to check and peruse news reports to guard against interpretations that deviated from the intended message.

“Journalistic ethics must be adhered to at all times.”