By Zareef Muzammil
SHAH ALAM, July 21 — Dozens of youth gathered today as a show of solidarity with the Malay rulers following Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor’s recent insult against the royal institution.
The congregation, led by state Pakatan Harapan (Harapan) and Barisan Nasional youth leaders, was held just outside the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque for half an hour after Friday prayers.
Participants could be seen holding up placards that read ‘Rakyat dan Raja Berpisah Tiada’ (the people and the king will not be separated), ‘Pertahan Institusi Raja‘ (defending the royal institution) and ‘Daulat Tuanku‘ (long live the king) as they pledge loyalty to the rulers.
They also plan to submit a memorandum to the state palace in Klang on Monday to express their support.
Addressing the crowd, Selangor Harapan Youth chief Danial Al-Rashid Haron said any insult against the royal households must cease immediately, and urged all quarters to respect the Federal Constitution.
“To disparage and insult the Sultan of Selangor is something we cannot accept. We have a constitution, and we must uphold it,” he said today.
Today’s demonstration comes just three days after Sanusi pleaded not guilty to two counts of sedition over his remarks against the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah during a political ceramah on July 11.
The charges were framed under Section 4(1)(a) of the Sedition Act 1948, which carries a maximum imprisonment of three years, fine up to RM5,000, or both, if found guilty.
Sanusi had, among other things, claimed that the Kedah sultanate is the only one in the country with an uninterrupted lineage, and that its current sultan would not have appointed Selangor Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari to head his state.
The Perikatan Nasional election director had also questioned if it was true that the Agong had decreed for a unity government to be established following the conclusion of the 15th general election last November.
Following Sanusi’s remarks, the Selangor Council of the Royal Court had lodged a police report on July 14 and demanded a public apology.
