Let readers judge if my writings are seditious, says Kadir

Bersatu supreme council member A Kadir Jasin has defended his blog posting which a PKR lawmaker claimed was seditious.

He was responding to Sungai Petani MP Johari Abdul, who wanted the police to probe Kadir under the Sedition Act for allegedly insulting the Sultan of Kedah.

"I respect his freedom of speech. But I leave it to my readers to judge my writings," he told Malaysiakini this afternoon.

According to Johari, the veteran newsman's Oct 30 posting was seditious because it allegedly implies Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah had abused his position to gain business opportunities.

Johari, who is also Gurun assemblyperson, referred to the commentary that was also published by the media, including Malaysiakini, titled "Rakyat perlu tahu peruntukan belanja buat raja" (The people need to know about the allocations for rulers).

This is not the first time Kadir, who is Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's media and communication advisor, has courted flak for his remarks on royal institutions.

Previously, while commenting on the controversy surrounding the appointment of constitutional expert Tommy Thomas as attorney-general, Kadir had said that the rulers should be confident and assured about their position, as they are "lavishly provided for".

He then listed what he claimed to be the expenses of the Yang diPertuan Agong.

PKR president-elect Anwar Ibrahim was among those who chastised Kadir for this. - Mkini