The rulers of Selangor and Johor expressed regret and disappointment today that their names have been linked to tomorrow's gathering against the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Icerd).

In a statement from the Selangor Palace, the sultan's private secretary Mohd Munir Bani said this concerned a statement circulating on social media, which claims that the “Sultan of Johor, acting Sultan of Pahang and Sultan of Selangor would attend the gathering.”

“The sultan has decreed that no quarters should involve His Highness' name in whatever rallies organised by political parties or NGOs. Such statements can confuse the public.

“As the ruler of Selangor, the sultan should not be linked to any rallies organised by any quarter,” he added in a statement this evening.

Therefore, Munir said Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has reminded the people not to be influenced by such fake news.

Meanwhile, a statement posted on the Johor sultan's official Facebook page stated that Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar was "annoyed" over rumours that he would be participating in the rally.

It also said that the sultan had issued a decree reminding the public not to easily believe the fake news which had gone viral on social media.

“I would like to remind everyone that there are all sorts of fake information being circulated on social media.

“Please don’t be easily influenced and believe anything you read. Always verify them first," said the statement, which also mentioned that the sultan of Johor is currently visiting Japan.

The statement said that Sultan Ibrahim issued the decree to the Royal Press Office today.