Khairy Jamaluddin has questioned the delay in action against DAP chairperson Lim Guan Eng for allegedly violating two out of the 3R (race, religion, and royalty) sentiments.
This is while caretaker Kedah menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor faced swift action for touching on royalty.
"We (in the Keluar Sekejap podcast) do not condone any remarks that touch on 3R. This is the red line as far as we are concerned. If Sanusi's speech was found to be seditious, (we should) let the due process of law take place.
"I agree with the concern raised by Umno Youth chief Akmal (Saleh) recently on the delay in action against Lim. If it is true that Sanusi has violated one of the 3R (royalty), then Lim has violated two (race and religion)," the former Umno leader said in his latest podcast episode.
"We want to see how consistent the investigation and prosecution are from the Attorney-General's Chambers in this matter," Khairy (above) added.
The former minister was concurring with a remark by his co-host Shahril Hamdan who said the law should equally apply to all.
Lim is under probe for allegedly claiming that Perikatan Nasional would destroy Buddhist temples in Penang should they come to power in the upcoming state election.
The former finance minister has repeatedly denied making the claim on July 7, clarifying that his speech was made in reference to a case of a Hindu temple in Kedah being demolished in July 2020.
Last week, Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain confirmed that the probe against Lim was almost done.
Political consideration
Putting the issue in context, Khairy opined it may seem that the charges against Sanusi were politically motivated since he's the "biggest threat" to Pakatan Harapan in the Aug 12 state polls.
Khairy noted Sanusi's popularity as an example, pointing out that the Keluar Sekejap episode featuring the PN election director logged a record high of almost 700,000 views on YouTube alone.
"He is among the biggest threat, and PAS has admitted that he is the 'commander' who will lead the charge in the upcoming polls.
"You may say that a lot of police reports were lodged (against Sanusi), and hence (his charges were) not politically motivated, but I'm sure the attorney-general would have consulted the prime minister before (Sanusi was charged).
"The PM can say that he has no choice as the AGC has decided (to press on with charges), but there must be political consideration involved," Khairy said.
On Tuesday, Sanusi claimed trial to sedition charges against the Selangor sultan and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Despite Sanusi apologising to the Selangor sultan, the ruler decreed that the matter was "not over".
Impact on state polls
Khairy sought Shahril’s views on whether the charges against Sanusi would be in Harapan's favour or backfire in the upcoming polls.
"I think in Kedah, it's a foregone conclusion. We saw the hero's welcome he received upon his arrival at the Sultan Abdul Halim Airport Arrival Hall in Alor Setar the other day.
"But in Selangor, would this episode benefit Harapan or backfire against the coalition?" the former Rembau MP asked.
Shahril answered that the outcome would depend on the narrative spun by Sanusi and the other PN leaders in the coming weeks.
"If they manage to convince the voters that it is a political decision to charge (Sanusi)... they should admit that the sultan-related remark was made, but an apology has been tendered, and also imply that the arrest and charges were politically motivated, then it would benefit PN, even in Selangor," opined the former Umno leader.
Khairy agreed, saying that at this juncture the tactic PN should use is stressing the 'mistake' Sanusi made and his ensuing apology, but question whether the prosecution had a political agenda. - Mkini
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