By Selangor Journal Team
SHAH ALAM, July 18 — The controversy surrounding Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, who was charged with two counts of sedition today, was not politically motivated, but merely a repercussion of his own actions.
Political secretary to the menteri besar, Juwairiya Zulkifli, said the issue has nothing to do with Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari or Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, amid accusations of political meddling.
“Instead, it is because he ran his mouth against the Malay rulers,” she said in a tweet today.
“Because of one’s mouth, the body perishes. Don’t be too eager about insulting others to the point of demeaning and undermining the Sultan’s wisdom.”
Earlier today, Sanusi, who is Perikatan Nasional election director, pleaded not guilty to two counts of sedition over his recent remarks against the royal institution during a political speech on July 11.
The first charge was in relation to his remark comparing the Selangor and Kedah rulers, saying the latter is the only one in the country with an uninterrupted lineage, and that he would not have appointed Amirudin as menteri besar.
The second charge was for his statement questioning the authenticity of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah’s decree for a unity government to be established following the conclusion of the 15th General Election last November.
Both 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.
Meanwhile, DAP vice-chairman Nga Kor Ming dismissed suggestions that the charges against Sanusi had to do with the upcoming state elections.
Instead, he reminded critics of the principles of the rukun negara, namely on the supremacy of the constitution and the rule of law.
“No one can violate the law, and it is important for us to respect the court’s process and procedure. We will leave it to the court to decide and issue the best judgment for all,” he said to the press after attending a Sentuhan Kasih programme at the Kota Damansara people’s housing project today.
Nga was responding to Pendang MP Datuk Awang Hashim’s statement that Sanusi’s prosecution was aimed at “crippling” PAS and Perikatan Nasional’s preparation ahead of the state polls.
