Opposition Leader Hamzah Zainudin condemned the legal action taken against Perikatan Nasional’s election director Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, calling it selective prosecution.
Without mentioning names, he said there are others outside of PN who had also made seditious statements.
“I strongly condemn the series of selective prosecution and abuse of the Sedition Act for political persecution, since there are non-PN leaders who also made seditious statements but did not face any legal repercussions,” he said in a statement today.
Hamzah added that while PN continues to uphold the Malay rulers and their role as constitutional monarchs, he questioned the need to apprehend Sanusi at 3am, which he claimed was excessive and done solely for “political vendetta”.
“Is there any need for the (caretaker) menteri besar of Kedah to be treated like that? He has already apologised over the issue and expressed willingness to give full cooperation to the police and the notice to attend court was also received,” he said.
Sanusi was arrested at a hotel in Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur, this morning, and subsequently claimed trial to two charges framed under Section 4(1)(a) for the Sedition Act 1948 for allegedly uttering words that had the tendency to incite disloyalty against a ruler.
Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain defended the force’s handling of the case, saying that the police only resorted to arresting Sanusi after attempts to call him and his aides got rejected, and police initially had difficulties locating his whereabouts.
This, among other factors, led police to become concerned that Sanusi may skip court.
Hamzah did not address Razarudin’s claim that Sanusi had gone incommunicado prior to his scheduled court appearance.
Malaysiakini has contacted Sanusi for comments on the police’s claims and has yet to receive a response.
When asked to explain the speed by which Sanusi was charged in court, Razarudin told reporters it was because cases involving other politicians like DAP chairperson Lim Guan Eng and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang did not touch on the royal institution, even though these are also 3R (race, religion, and royalty) cases.
It should be noted that former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was being investigated for alleged contempt against the royal institution, is also yet to face charges.
It was earlier reported that the investigation paper against him has already been completed and will be referred to the Attorney-General’s Chambers on June 6.
Meanwhile, Hamzah called for calm in the wake of the charges against Sanusi.
“All parties especially PN supporters (are urged to) remain calm and maintain decorum, and let us all pray for justice for the (caretaker) Kedah menteri besar in court,” the former home minister said. - Mkini
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