PETALING JAYA: Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad has defended himself after he was questioned on Palace protocol for bringing his children to a Hari Raya open house at Istana Negara.
The Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister's actions was brought into question by Norlin Shamsul Bahri, the wife of former minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah.
"Wah. Brought your kids to Istana Negara for an official function. Don't you know protocol, Mr minister?" commented Norlin on a photograph posted by Nik Nazmi on his Instagram account on Saturday (April 22).
The "Majlis Ramah Mesra Aidilfitri" event was hosted by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah at the Dewan Santapan Utama in Istana Negara.
Nik Nazmi said that the official invitation included his extended family.
"The invitation from the Palace instructed me to bring my wife, children and grandchildren.
"I don't have grandchildren so I brought my children and wife," he replied.
However Norlin doubled down, saying: "Wah... minister makes his own protocol."
She also replied to PKR Youth leader Prasanth Kumar Brakasam, who suggested that she was being touchy because her husband, Saifuddin, was no longer a minister.
"Annoyed for what? ... is there a protocol to bring your children to Istana (Negara)?" she asked.
Many Malaysians, however, came to Nik Nazmi's defence and urged her to check her facts as the Istana Negara social media page showed photos of families with children and grandchildren of various guests at the event.
"The minister has even explained yet you are still feigning ignorance. Even foreign dignitaries and the KSN (Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali) brought their kids and grandchildren. Their pictures are even posted on Istana Negara's official Instagram," said user @abdulmuizaminudin.
Other Cabinet members such as Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil and Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli, had also posted photos on social media of their family members, including children, attending the Palace's open house.
Saifuddin, who is the Indera Mahkota MP, previously served as the communications and multimedia minister in Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's administration and was the foreign minister in Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob's administration
