Calling for emergency to be lifted not a crime, says ex-deputy minister

 

Former deputy minister Hanipa Maidin says while some may disagree with Anwar Ibrahim, his statement should not be taken as a penal offence.

PETALING JAYA: Former deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Hanipa Maidin has questioned the police investigation into Anwar Ibrahim’s call for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to rescind the emergency proclamation, saying it is not a crime.

While some might disagree with Anwar’s statement, the Sepang MP said, it was unfair to regard his call as a penal offence.

“As far as I know, (a suggestion for) calling off an emergency proclamation per se by anybody is not a crime,” Hanipa, the former de facto deputy law minister, said in a Facebook post.

“Lest we forget, the Speaker (sic) of the Senate (a member of PPBM), at one time, even questioned the ‘appropriateness’ of the rejection of the first call for an emergency by the King.”

Hanipa said Anwar’s statement was protected by the Constitution, and that the matter exceeded the purview of the police.

“May common sense prevail,” he added.

Yesterday, police revealed that they were investigating the opposition leader and Port Dickson MP after a report was lodged in Kuala Lumpur. The case is being handled by Bukit Aman CID’s Special Investigation Unit.

Earlier this month, Anwar wrote to all MPs, urging them to write to the King to plead with him to revoke the emergency proclamation and call for a Parliament sitting as soon as possible.

Anwar had previously defended the move, saying it did not amount to treason and, a few days ago, claimed that up to 115 MPs were against the emergency.

He has also filed for leave to initiate a judicial review to challenge the government’s decision to seek an emergency proclamation and suspension of Parliament and the state assemblies. - FMT