18-7-2023 (KUALA LUMPUR) Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has defended the use of the Sedition Act in cases involving comments against the royal institution. His comments came after caretaker Kedah Chief Minister Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor was charged with two counts of sedition under Section 4(1)(a) of the Sedition Act for allegedly insulting Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
Anwar stated that the Sedition Act is fundamentally avoided except in cases concerning the position and dignity of the rulers, which is something that should be upheld. He also emphasized that the Sedition Act would not be used if it involved criticisms against him in his role as prime minister.
Earlier on Tuesday, Sanusi pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, which carry a maximum sentence of three years in jail or a fine of RM5,000 (US$1,100). The first charge was in relation to seditious remarks against the Selangor ruler, while the second charge was related to uttering seditious words regarding the establishment of the unity government led by Anwar. Both alleged utterances were made during a political rally in Selangor on Jul 11. rights group Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) condemned the use of the Sedition Act against Sanusi, claiming that no legitimate government should be allowed to wield the powers given by the Act. LFL said in a statement that it is appalling that this has happened under a government led by Pakatan Harapan, which in opposition long condemned the existence and usage of the Sedition Act as oppressive and an affront to freedom of speech.
On Monday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said said that the government will hold discussions on Jul 21 to assess existing laws and look into the need for a new law to deal with issues involving race, religion, and royalty. She added that the proposal to create a new law to impose civil penalties on those who play up sentiments regarding the 3R issues had been presented to the Cabinet and received a positive response.
Meanwhile, Anwar warned all parties last Tuesday not to exploit issues touching on the 3R ahead of the upcoming state elections and said that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Royal Malaysia Police are monitoring the situation.
Six states – Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Penang, Selangor, and Negeri Sembilan – will be holding their state polls concurrently on Aug 12. The by-election for the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seat will also be held on Aug 12, according to Election Commission Chairman Abdul Ghani Salleh.
