Liu's aide reports Rais for sedition

 

A police report has been lodged against Dewan Negara president Rais Yatim over an allegedly seditious tweet.

The report was lodged by Rahman Mohamad Saleh, an aide to Sungai Pelek lawmaker Ronnie Liu, who accused Rais of questioning the decree and wisdom of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Council of Rulers.

Rahman also urged the police to investigate Rais's message to the attorney-general.

"I hope that (the police) will investigate and take action against the author of the tweet and the owner of the Twitter account in accordance with the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998," said Rahman.

On Oct 26, Rais tweeted his appreciation for the Agong's recent decree for everyone to put aside their differences and help the government's effort to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, he also alleged that part of the Agong's decree had "violated" Article 40(1A) which stated that the Agong had to act on the advice of the executive.

"Why didn't the attorney-general (advise His Majesty) that there is a mandatory requirement under Article 40 has been cast aside?

"Isn't this the core of constitutional monarchy?" asked Rais.

Although Rais didn't make it clear, it was likely that he was referring to the Agong's decision to not accede to the executive's request for a proclamation of emergency.

While Putrajaya has not made clear its reasons for such a proclamation, some government officials have stated that it was solely to prevent Parliament from convening next month and limit political activities.

Budget 2021 will be tabled on Nov 6, and the first round of voting on the bill will be held on Nov 17.

Incidentally, Liu was called for questioning by the police on Wednesday for four hours over his Facebook post regarding ongoing street protests in Bangkok. - Mkini