Pakatan Harapan has expressed regret over the alleged letter informing Dr Mahathir Mohamad that his invitation to the installation of the next Yang di-Pertuan Agong has been withdrawn.

The coalition's secretariat chief Saifuddin Abdullah requested the Conference of Rulers to reconsider its decision.

"All three Pakatan Harapan parties had signed an agreement which among others pledged our commitment to uphold the royal institution.

"So we regret this incident and we feel it should not have happened," he told a press conference after a Pakatan Harapan secretariat meeting at DAP's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Saifuddin also said there is nothing wrong in inviting Mahathir to attend the ceremony at Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 13.

"All past prime ministers are invited, the opposition leader is invited, it does not look nice when there is a former prime minister who is not invited," he added.

Earlier, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu)Youth chief Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman said although Mahathir has quit Umno, he is still a statesman, who was once heralded as the prime minister who put Malaysia on the map.

He also pointed to the former premier having sacrificed his time and energy to uplift the Malay race.

“But what does he receive in return? Not only insults and disparaging remarks, but to the point that a seat is not allocated for him at an official event.

“Where is the respect for the former prime minister?” he asked in a media statement.

Syed Saddiq said Mahathir never lost respect for those he had differences with in the past such as Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, Hussein Onn and Tunku Abdul Rahman.

'Other guests should help'

In view of this, the Bersatu Youth leader said it would be proper for seats to be allocated for Mahathir and his wife Dr Siti Hasmah Ali at the installation.

Addressing the request to all the dignitaries who have been invited to attend the ceremony, he added: “I am certain, millions of Malaysians will be grateful.”

Yesterday, Malaysiakini quoted an aide to the former premier as confirming the existence of the letter, which was hand delivered to the Perdana Foundation office in Putrajaya.

The letter has since gone viral on social media.

The letter mentioned that no seat would be provided at the event for Mahathir and that the former premier was being informed of this beforehand to spare him any embarrassment.

Contacted by Malaysiakini, an official with Istana Negara declined to comment on the matter or confirm the letter.

Whereas, no senior officers were available for comment at the office of the Keeper of the Ruler’s Seal, whose signature was on the letter.