Unspun

Model Nation #16: The privacy of Kings


This opens up interesting questions of what’s personal and what’s not.

If you are a prince, who get your pocket money from the state coffers, does that make you a public figure or a private citizen?

If the allegations against you are those of physical, sexual and mental torture and splashed all over the papers, does it mean that it is still a private matter?

clipped from thestar.com.my

Manohara’s case with hubby a personal matter, says Kelantan palace

PETALING JAYA: The case between Kelantan prince Tengku Mohamad Fakhry Sultan Ismail Petra and his wife Manohara Odelia Pinot is a personal matter, the Kelantan palace said.

Manohara, a former model, who claimed she was ill-treated, has fled to her home country Indonesia.

The palace said in a statement that it was monitoring the developments, including the allegations made by Manohara.

“We are viewing the matter as a personal crisis between a husband and his wife which must be settled through the law,” said the statement signed by the palace coordinator Datuk Abdul Halim Hamad on Wednesday.

He said he had been directed to clarify that statements made by Mohd Soberi Shafii, a friend of Tengku Fakhry, were his (Mohd Soberi’s) personal view and not an official stand of the palace.
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2 responses to “Model Nation #16: The privacy of Kings”

  1. Brett Avatar
    Brett

    These people are idiots. Since when is an allegation of assault a private matter? This is a fantastic case, it is really demonstrated how f—ed up both governments are. Latest news today is that Bachtiar is demanding Manohara apologise for claiming the embassy was bribed. An Indonesian govenrment official accepting bribes? Wow! Who knew?!

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  2. Rob Avatar
    Rob

    @ Brett…

    Now, now 😀

    @ Unspun…

    Domestic violence will never be a private matter, and definitely not once it has been splashed across the front pages of most of the local rags in Indonesia and Malaysia.

    I do not know enough about the public coffers of Malaysia to comment, but if he does draw a public salary then he would be a public figure in that sense and there is a need to be accountable for one’s actions.

    If I am not mistaken the Prince and his minders have been starting to demand that Manohara provide evidence of the physical and emotional abuse. This would be a particularly stupid move in light of the claim that some of this abuse involved an attach with a razor. Or it is simple arrogance where they believe they are above the reach of the law. Or, they are confident that no such evidence exists.

    I agree with Brett, this is a fascinating case.

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