[UPDATED] Sanusi’s sedition charges to defend dignity of royalty: Anwar

SEKINCHAN – The unity government does not use the Sedition Act against its critics “as a matter of policy” but Kedah caretaker menteri besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has allegedly insulted royalty, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.

“The palace lodged the report and police investigated the case and the AGC (Attorney-General Chambers) decided to prosecute. I don’t want to interfere.

“As a matter of policy, we don’t use the Sedition Act (against critics) but when it involves the royalty?” Anwar said to reporters after an agricultural event in Sekinchan, Selangor, this morning.

He added that the government had never used the Sedition Act against those who criticised him as prime minister.

In Sanusi’s case, however, he spoke against the royals, Anwar pointed out.

“The dignity of royalty must be defended to avoid an unhealthy trend in politics,” the prime minister said.

Sanusi this morning pleaded not guilty to two charges under Section 4(1)(a) of the Sedition Act 1948 for speaking against the Selangor sultan over the appointment of the state’s menteri besar, and about the establishment of the unity government.

Sanusi, who is a PAS lawmaker and Perikatan Nasional elections director, has posted bail of RM10,000 for both charges.

He has apologised in writing to Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, explaining that the allegedly offensive remarks were made in a political speech, and claiming that they had been twisted by political rivals.

Anwar’s remarks today follow criticism arising after the charges were made – certain lawyers and groups pointed out that Pakatan Harapan (PH) had once fought to abolish the Sedition Act.

On Twitter, lawyers Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan and Datuk Zaid Ibrahim both said the Sedition Act should not be used against the government’s political opponents.

Legal rights group Lawyers for Liberty also issued a statement that Sanusi’s prosecution under the law was a “betrayal” of PH’s promises of repeal and reform.

“PH and its leader Anwar Ibrahim’s condemnation of this law seems reserved only to when they were once at the receiving end of it. Now, they have no qualms utilising it when they are the ones in power,” LFL director Zaid Malek said in a statement. – The Vibes, July 18, 2023