Perkasa wants police probe, lodges report against Kadir Jasin

Right-wing Malay movement Perkasa has joined the call for the police to investigate veteran newsman A Kadir Jasin over his recent blog post, which it deemed "seditious" and a threat to Malay rulers.

Kelantan Perkasa chief Asri Ali, who today lodged a police report against Kadir, claimed the latter's blog was insulting to the rulers and that it incited the people to hate the royal institution.

"The writings are dangerous as they can incite seeds of hatred towards the royal institution and has the potential to move the rakyat towards insulting, make fun of and abolish the royal institutions in Malaysia," Asri said upon lodging the report at the Kota Bharu district police headquarters today.

The Oct 30 blog post by Kadir, who is Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's media and communications advisor as well as a Bersatu supreme council member, touched on the coronation of Kedah Sultan Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah.

The posting was also published as a commentary by the media, including Malaysiakini, entitled "Rakyat perlu tahu peruntukan belanja buat raja" (The people need to know about the allocations for rulers).

Asri cited a line in the posting which touched on the lyrics of the official state song, in which Kadir had written: "The official song clearly states that the place of the king (sultan) is on the throne and the king's responsibility to the preserve the religion of our prophet (nabi).

"It does not say 'extend their lives in the boardroom' and ‘preserve his highness' conglomerates'."

Perkasa's statement followed that of Pakatan Harapan's lawmaker, Johari Abdul, who also called for Kadir to be investigated for sedition over the blog post.

The Sungai Petani MP had stated that Kadir's words could cause prejudice towards Tuanku Sultan Sallehuddin.

In response, Kadir merely stated he was leaving it to his readers to decide, stating: "I respect his  (Johari's) freedom of speech. But I leave it to my readers to judge my writings."

However, Johari also came under brickbats as his call contradicted Pakatan Harapan’s stance on repealing the controversial Sedition Act 1948.

The cabinet had announced on Oct 11 that a moratorium would be imposed on the usage of the Sedition Act, pending its repeal.

This is not the first time Kadir 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 were "lavishly provided for".

He then listed what he claimed to be the expenses of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

He was subsequently probed by the police under the Sedition Act and for defamation. - Mkini