In another twist to the power struggle in the Kelantan palace, Tengku Muhd Fakhry Petra was detained last night along with several of the Kelantan Sultan Tuanku Ismail Petra’s bodyguards and two doctors, a local daily reported today.

tengku fakhry manohara odelia pinot 260609 According to the Malay-language Kosmo newspaper, Tengku Fakhry - who is youngest of the three princes - was detained by a team of police officers and members of the Special Actions Unit minutes after leaving the royal palace in Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu in Kelantan about 7.30pm.

The tabloid said Tengku Fakhry was in a convoy of cars that contained the Kelantan sultan as well as his consort Tengku Anis Tengku Abdul Hamid, and had not gone beyond 50 metres from the gates of the palace when they were stopped by the police.

Assassination plot?

The Malay Mail , meanwhile, carried a report today alleging the police had detained Tengku Fakhry and his bodyguards over an alleged plot to assassinate the former's elder brother Tengku Muhd Faris.

This follows the attempted murder of a Kelantan palace guard last Friday, which the police believe was part of the said conspiracy.

The 50-year old palace guard, Ramli Mohamed, was targeted because he knew of the alleged assassination plot, said The Malay Mail.

Ramli was on his way home to Kampung Sungai Pinang, Tumpat, after completing his shift at midnight when he was shot in the chest by two men. He is being treated at a hospital in Kota Baru.

It is understood that Tengku Fakhry and his bodyguards have since been released from police custody . The Malay Mail said the police seized firearms found on them.

Sultan Ismail, who suffered a stroke last May and said to be incapacitated, was admitted to the Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital (HUSM) in Kubang Kerian for a follow-up treatment.

Bernama reported that Tengku Fakhry had in the afternoon yesterday told a news conference that he intended to take his father for further treatment at the Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore.

Tengku Fakhry had chartered a private plane for the purpose, but the plane was refused permission to land at the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport.

Sultan's wife 'slept on the floor'

NONE In another report by The Malay Mail , the sultan's consort Tengku Anis said she had been holed up at the HUSM since last night to evade police arrest and to be by the side of her husband.

She also alleged that the sultan was being held against his will and that the police had ignored his orders to take him back to the palace.

Tengku Anis was said to have spent "most of the night on the floor" outside the Royal Ward at HUSM, but later was able to enter the ward and lock herself in.

Meanwhile, the Sultan's lawyers, Mohamed Haaziq Pillay and Gobind Singh Deo, arrived in Kelantan this morning to seek the sultan's release from hospital.

One of the sultan's lawyers, Mohamed Haaziq Pillay, said a writ of habeas corpus would be filed in the Kuala Lumpur High Court if they fail to get their client's release.

Tengku Fakhry has been embroiled in controversy said to centre on a tussle over the throne involving his elder brother Tengku Faris, who is acting regent.

Tengku Faris eventually expelled Tengku Fakhry from the Council of Royal Succession. Last year, Tengku Fakhry was in the news also over the alleged abuse of his wife Manohara Odelia Pinot.  

KELANTAN ROYAL FAMILY - WHO'S WHO

Kelantan sultan

Sultan Ismail Petra , who suffered a stroke last May and said to be incapacitated.

Raja Perempuan

Tengku Anis Tengku Abdul Hamid

Elia Suhana Ahmad (second wife). A divorce was filed on March 9 by the sultan through a third party.

Children

No 1 son: Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra (acting regent)

No 2 son: Tengku Muhammad Faiz Petra

No 3 son: Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra (he is challenging elder brother over succession and was expelled by Tengku Faris from the Council of Royal Succession. Muhammad Fakhry was last year embroiled in a controversy over the alleged abuse of his teen wife, Manohara Odelia Pinot)

Daughter: Tengku Amalin A'ishah Putri