KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 — Playing up issues that create disunity, disrupting public order and insulting the royal institution are offences under the law, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Legal and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
Although freedom of speech is a constitutional right of every Malaysian citizen under Article 10(1)(a) of the Federal Constitution, that freedom is subject to Article 10(2) of the FC in maintaining peace and order.
“I wish to draw attention to the political speech by caretaker Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor in which he questioned the wisdom of Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj on the appointment of the Selangor Menteri Besar recently.
“Anyone playing up issues that create disunity, disturb the peace and disrespect the royal institution should remember that these are against the law,” she said on Twitter today.
Azalina said politicians or any person with authority should be aware that they have the power to influence people through their speeches, especially during the election season.
Yesterday, five members of the Selangor Royal Council lodged a police report against Muhammad Sanusi for allegedly questioning the authority of the Selangor royal institution on the appointment of the state’s Menteri Besar.
The five, Tan Sri Ambrin Buang, Tan Sri Mohd Zawawi Salleh, Datuk Mohammed Khusrin Munawi, Datuk Mohamad Adzib Mohd Isa, and Datuk Emran Kadir, also demanded Muhammad Sanusi make a public apology over the issue as soon as possible.
The minister said actions that violate the law will not be resolved by just issuing an apology.
Azalina said seeking forgiveness is not a legal defence in criminal law.
She also urged the police to be given the freedom to investigate anyone who plays up the 3R issues (race, religion and royal institution) which violates any law, without the intervention of any party.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Sanusi, said he has sent a letter to the Sultan to seek an apology over his previous statement.
“I was informed by a Selangor Palace official that His Royal Highness has received and read my letter on Friday, July 14,” said the Perikatan Nasional election director in a Facebook post.
Sanusi added he has also given his statement to investigating officers from Bukit Aman at 2am yesterday (July 14), to complete their investigation into the report made against him.
The media had earlier reported that Muhammad Sanusi, in a series of talks organised by PN, allegedly issued statements that were said to be insulting the Selangor Ruler.
In a now-viral video, he is claimed to have belittled Dato Seri’ Amirudin Shari’s appointment as Menteri Besar.
— Bernama
