Utusan wants Sri Muda rep punished

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 4 — Utusan Malaysia continued to harangue Pakatan Rakyat in the Selangor state secretary saga today, demanding stern action against a PKR assemblyman for allegedly committing “treason” against the Sultan.

In an editorial today, the Umno-owned daily claimed that it was clear that Sri Muda assemblyman Shuhaimi Shafiei had “insulted and threatened” the Sultan when he questioned the Ruler’s role in the highly-criticised appointment of Datuk Mohd Khusrin Munawi as the state’s top civil servant.

“On this issue, it is clear that the authorities can no longer compromise; the proof is obvious and a police report has already been lodged. Shuhaimi should be investigated and punished appropriately,” the daily wrote.

Malay rights group Perkasa and the Selangor Anti-Fraud Coalition (GAPS) lodged a report against Shuhaimi yesterday on the issue.

In their report, the parties accused Shuhaimi for openly opposing Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah in the state secretary impasse in a blog posting at srimuda.blogspot.com on December 30.

GAPS chairman Hamizun Khairuddin was quoted in Bernama as saying that Shuhaimi had clearly warned the Sultan that he would face action from the people for his role in the controversial appointment.

He also pledged that GAPS would make daily police reports in different districts until the authorities took action against the assemblyman.

The Malay daily also said that politicians like Shuhaimi should be taught a lesson to prevent other leaders from overstepping boundaries, especially in matters concerning the Royal Institution.

“The Royal Institution must be respected in any situation and not be reviled, what more threatened arbitrarily,” said the editorial.

The daily also openly backed former PKR MP Zulkifli Noordin in calling for action against Shuhaimi, agreeing with the former’s view that the Sri Muda assemblyman had behaved “barbarically” and committed treason.

“This is why many parties are in support of Zulkifli’s suggestions that action should be taken against Shuhaimi for insulting and committing treason against the Selangor Sultan.

“Zulkifli said that all parties that threaten or go against the orders of the Sultan in this issue should be punished under Section 121 of the Penal Code for waging war against the Malay Rulers,” the daily said.

It also mocked Shuhaimi for attempting to be the “defender” of the Selangor PR government and claimed that the people, particularly the Malay community, were waiting for the authorities to punish him.

“They (Malay community) want to see firm action taken in this incident, not just a reminder or a warning. This is because Shuhaimi clearly questioned the position and the powers of the Rulers.

“Shuhaimi can seek political popularity all he wants because that is the behaviour of the opposition but as a Malay leader and a Muslim, he should not go to the extent of challenging the norms,” said the daily.

It added that if a Malay politician dared to challenge the Sultan in such a manner, leaders from other ethnic backgrounds may follow suit later.

“Claiming that the Sultan had been prejudiced to a certain political party in this issue is an act that that cannot be forgiven.

“Shuhaimi shoud be ready to face punishment for his actions and stop accusing the media for spinning his statement because the proof is in his blog,” the daily said.

It added that the authorities should not procrastinate further and take immediate action against Shuhaimi as a warning to other politicians. - Malaysian Insider