Melaka police have weighed in on a certain individual claiming his ascent to the non-existent state throne last week: Currently there is no law that states that you can’t not say you’re the Sultan.
Interesting.
Speaking to The Sun today following a police report filed by the Melaka Chief Minister’s office, the state police chief has said that the man’s claim to the throne was “neither legitimate nor against the law.”
“Those who know the law of our country will surely not fall for such claims, as it is laughable.
The claim was made by the man’s family members among themselves and it was not a public proclamation. However, if we find that these individuals are defrauding people with such proclamation, such as giving out honorific titles, then they will be breaking the law and we will act.
As for now, we will examine the case and call up all those involved to have their statements recorded,” he said.
After local police complete this process, the file will be submitted to the Attorney-General Chambers, and they will advise on how to proceed.
Melaka’s state deputy secretary originally lodged a report with police at 4pm yesterday, worried that claims ascending to the state’s sultanate made by a man calling himself Sultan Mansor Shah III could turn into more serious matters.
Less than two hours south of Kuala Lumpur, the state of Melaka’s sultanate ceased to exist after it taken over by the Portuguese empire 500 years go.
Since then, many individuals have staked a claim to the throne: In 2013, Noor Jan Tuah was accused of using the title to cheat four individuals through impersonation at a ceremony held in a resort hotel. He was later acquitted of the charges.
One year later, an Indonesian woman Bonda Ratu Kuasa Alam Tan Sri Sharifah Norlaini Kesemua Dinegeret (Queen of the Malay Archipelago) demanded that the Melakan Chief Minister meet with her and her officials to discuss how to resurrect the dissolved Sultanate.
She also claimed to possess supernatural powers, and would cast a curse on the state if she got angry. She threatened to “call windstorms and incessant rain if her patience hits rock bottom.”
Although Bonda did manage to see the Chief Minister, he told her that he was “busy with work” and to “see my assistants if [you] have any concrete matters to discuss.” Ouch.
Well — we have had one helluva rainy season, kids.
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