Zaid Ibrahim courts controversy by taking veiled swipe at Malay Rulers

 

Zaid, 72, took to twitter last night and posted that people must be very careful with what they say when it comes to Malay Rulers or they would suffer the consequences. - Pic credit @ZaidIbrahim

KUALA LUMPUR: Former de facto law minister Datuk Mohd Zaid Ibrahim has posted his take on the controversy surrounding the Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor's fallout with the Selangor royalty.

Zaid, 72, took to twitter last night and posted that people must be very careful with what they say when it comes to Malay Rulers or they would suffer the consequences.

"My advice to the common people : Do not say anything that may be construed as insulting Malay Rulers; even if unintentional.

"Do not say an MB (Menteri Besar) is a clown; as that will be insulting the Ruler for appointing a clown. Do not say Malay Rulers are wealthy ; as that could imply the wealth is improperly obtained.

"Do not say Malay Rulers are involved in timber or durian business ; or internet business. That would be demeaning .You can only praise them. Better still say nothing at all," he tweeted.

Zaid followed up his tweet this morning by accusing the government of purposely using the Sedition Act 1948 to come down hard on political foes and opponents who dare to speak up by referencing Sanusi who was arrested in the wee hours of the morning today.

"The most significant achievement of the Madani govt is using Sedition Act against its political opponent. When this opponent said sorry, the Madani Minister replied, 'That's not enough'.

"When this seditious leader said sorry to the Palace, the response was, 'matter not settled'.

"Now that Sanusi will be charged, everyone is happy. No more pressure on the AG (Attorney-General). The Bar Council, the great defender of the rule of law, must be satisfied too," he tweeted.

Sanusi was today charged with making seditious remarks against the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.

The outspoken Pas lawmaker, however, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him before Sessions Court judge Nor Rajiah Mat Zin.

The incumbent Jeneri assemblyman was accused of committing the offence about 11pm near Selayang Jaya in Selangor on July 11.

The offence falls under Section 4(1)(a) of the Seditious Act which carries maximum three years' imprisonment and RM5,000 fine upon conviction. - NST