Kelantan’s ailing Sultan has taken the unprecedented step of seeking a court order for permission to leave the state for a medical check-up in Singapore.
Tuanku Ismail Petra Tuanku Yahya Petra (picture) is now warded at the Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital (HUSM) in Kubang Kerian after two abortive attempts to leave the state two days ago. An attempt to leave for Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) today was called off at the last-minute.
The Ruler’s lawyer, Datuk Mohd Haaziq Pillay, confirmed that court papers are being prepared to seek the release of Tuanku Ismail Petra from HUSM, which is now under tight security.
“Yes, confirmed that papers are being prepared and will notify you accordingly,” Mohd Haaziq said in an e-mail to The Malaysian Insider.
The 60-year-old Sultan returned home last March after nine months at the Mount Elizabeth Hospital in the island republic. It is understood that the papers also include an application for the Ruler to return for follow-up treatment.
Gobind Singh Deo, who is also part of the Sultan’s legal team, had tried to meet the Sultan and his consort, the Raja Perempuan of Kelantan, to discuss the lawsuit but had been stopped by officials, including the police, at the hospital yesterday.
“All I know is Tuanku wants to return to the palace,” Gobind said yesterday, sidestepping a question on the chances the Kelantan Ruler would be allowed to go to Singapore.
The Puchong MP told reporters in Kota Baru he would explain the situation at a press conference here today, but it was called off at the 11th hour.
The Kelantan palace has been in crisis since the Ruler took ill last year.
The Sultan’s youngest son, Tengku Muhammad Fakhry, was briefly detained by police on Tuesday night after he issued a media statement over the failure to send his father to Singapore.
It is understood police had also detained two doctors and five palace guards.
