It was earlier reported that Najib had missed the ceremony due to a last-minute seat change.

When asked to comment on the issue, Mahathir simply told reporters, “That’s his place after all.”

It is up to the palace to decide on the seating arrangements, he added before promptly leaving.

Najib had said in a Facebook posting that he could not attend the ceremony due to the change of outfit required by palace customs following the seat change.

Najib, who was supposed to sit at seat number 10, usually reserved for former prime ministers, was moved to the back row reserved for the Orang Besar Pahang.

“The attire for Orang Besar Pahang and for the former prime minister is not the same. Every position has its protocol,” Najib said, adding it was too late for him to get the outfit sent from Pekan.

A Facebook user from Terengganu claimed that Najib’s seat was changed as another individual allegedly did not want to be seated near the Pekan MP.

He said the protocol by the palace dictates that Najib be seated four chairs away from Mahathir.

The Prime Minister’s Office said it was not involved in the seating arrangements, adding that this comes under the purview of the palace.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa earlier today denied that Najib’s seat was moved at the last minute.

Mujahid, who was chairman of the special committee for the installation ceremony for the King, said he had given an official reply to Najib on the allegation.

“The issue was not that it had been moved. The issue (Najib’s seat) had been determined earlier.

“Then, Najib himself had given the excuse that he had to be seated at the place for Orang Besar Pahang.

“He had to change attire. That is his problem. We have informed much earlier,” said Mujahid.