YESTERDAY, caretaker Kedah menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor was charged with sedition in Selangor for allegedly inciting disloyalty to the royal institution, which is ironic considering he is the election director of PAS, the largest Perikatan Nasional (PN) party, known for its campaign based on race, religion, and royalty.

This development doesn’t come as a complete surprise as PAS has had disagreements with the palace on multiple occasions. During the Muhyiddin Yassin administration, a PAS law minister had claimed to have had the Yang-Dipertuan Agong’s blessing for an administrative decision, causing misunderstandings with the palace and contributing to the prime minister’s downfall.

Yet, PN seems unwilling to learn from these experiences. It continues insult and ridicule the unity government, ignoring the king’s role in establishing the administration for political stability during a period of pandemic recovery.

In Selangor, Yunus Hairi, a PAS commissioner and menteri besar hopeful, was summoned for the second time to the palace. The first summons was in relation to PAS’ opposition to Bon Odori despite the sultan’s approval of the cultural festival.

PAS’ tendency to rile up its supporters with sensationalist and emotive arguments has proved effective in winning support, overshadowing more important election issues such as bread-and-butter concerns and the economy. Sanusi’s reported outbursts are often proven false, followed by apologies, yet their impact on PAS supporters remains.

The baselessness of Sanusi’s allegations is lost on PN supporters.

Even its supporters in Penang have been taken in by his calls for the state to be merged with Kedah. In Selangor, the silence from PAS leaders, who claim allegiance and fealty to the palace, over Sanusi’s prosecution is strategic and deafening. But the irony is lost on its supporters.

Pakatan Harapan will need to work harder with its new partner to combat PAS propaganda if it wishes to make inroads into PN strongholds. 

Logic and commen sense will not cut it when emotions have been stirred to boiling point.

Even the enforcement of the fake news law will be made out to be unjust persecution, as the Sanusi’s PR team is spinning his prosecution now, never mind that the Kedah leader himself has encouraged police action against his critics.

The pressure from the palace for action has also been spun as Anwar Ibrahim’s fault.

Yet Sanusi has been treated with kid gloves and is out free on a mere RM5,000 bail. 

These contradictions also escape PN’s diehard fans.

While PH and BN supporters delay reform and anti-corruption pledges in favour of temporary stability, PN’s game plan is far more detrimental to the country’s long-term future.

Controversial tactics, such as those employed by the Sanusi, cannot be allowed to stand. At the same time, they must be countered with tact lest they lead to martyrdom. – July 19, 2023.

* Emmanuel Joseph firmly believes that Klang is the best place on Earth, and that motivated people can do far more good than any leader with motive.