By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, Nov 15 — Kota Damansara assemblyman Muhammad Izuan Ahmad Kasim has called out state opposition members for being hypocrites after they failed to censure Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor for insulting Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj.
Izuan took particular issue with Perikatan Nasional (PN) assemblymen over their silence on the purported disrespectful remarks issued by the senior PAS leader during a campaign speech ahead of the August 12 state elections.
“I need to address the speeches made by Selangor PN members who professed their unwavering support for the sovereignty of Malay rulers.
“Yet, when a PN leader from the north openly insulted the Selangor Ruler, where were the PN leaders then?” he said when debating the 2024 Selangor Budget today.
The Pakatan Harapan lawmaker pointed out that even PN leaders who were present with Sanusi during the incident have remained silent on the matter.
He also condemned PN leaders who often rely on racial rhetoric and nativist narratives despite claiming to respect all races in the country.
“They proclaim to respect all races, yet resort to racial rhetoric and spreading division. So, let’s not be hypocrites in this esteemed House,” he said.
On July 18, Sanusi was charged with two counts of sedition over his remarks against the royal institution.
According to the first charge sheet, Sanusi had claimed, during his election ceramah, that the Kedah sultanate is the only one in the country with an uninterrupted lineage, in an apparent dig at the Selangor Sultan.
e also said the Sultan of Kedah would not have appointed Selangor Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari to head his state.
As for the second charge, Sanusi had questioned if it was true that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Alhaj had decreed for a unity government to be established following the conclusion of the 15th General Election in November last year.
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.
