THE government is using legal instruments to “pressure its political opponents”, Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Muhyiddin Yassin said after caretaker Kedah menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor was charged with sedition on Friday.

Muhyiddin, who is also Bersatu president, also noted that Sanusi’s arrest was against the unity government’s promises of reform.

He said he sympathised with Sanusi for being charged with sedition.

“It appears that the government is using legal instruments to pressure its political opponents.

“This is clearly against the ‘reformasi’ promises that they have championed, which include abolishing the Sedition Act,” the Pagoh lawmaker said in a statement posted on his Facebook page today.

He stressed that one of PN’s main policies and principles was to uphold, preserve and defend the sovereignty and dignity of the Malay rulers as constitutional monarchs.

“This principle will continue to be upheld,” he said.

Yesterday, Sanusi claimed trial to two charges of sedition.

In the first charge, he is accused of making a seditious comment regarding the appointment of the Selangor menteri besar.

Sanusi, 48, allegedly incited discontent or disaffection among the subjects of the Selangor ruler by making the remarks.

In a separate court, Sanusi also denied making seditious remarks in relation to the king.

He was reported to have questioned if the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had indeed decreed that a unity government be formed after the November general election.

Both offences were allegedly committed at the same ceramah in Simpang 4, Taman Selayang Mutiara-Kampung Bendahara, Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, at 11pm, on July 11. – July 19, 2023.