AN apology does not amount to a legal defence in law, Law and Institutional Reform Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Azalina Othman Said reminded Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor after he apologised for remarks on the Selangor sultan.

She said Sanusi’s apology to Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah is insufficient to absolve him for his remarks.

“Anyone who raises divisive issues, disrupts public order and shows disrespect towards the rulers must remember that doing so is a breach of the law, and the case does not go away with an apology.

“This is because an apology is not a legal defence in criminal law,” she said in a Facebook post.

Azalina said the government wants to stress that although freedom of expression is a constitutional right of Malaysians and is enshrined under article 10(1)(a), the same right is also subject to article 10(2), which ensures public peace and harmony is preserved.

“As politicians or someone bestowed with power, we must realise that our words have the power to influence the public, especially during the election season,” she said.

“Let the police be given the freedom to investigate anyone who uses ‘3R’-related issues that violate any law without the intervention of any party.”

Earlier, Sanusi has apologised to the Selangor ruler for his remarks on the appointment of the state’s menteri besar.

In a statement, the PAS election director said he has sent a letter to Sultan Sharafuddin explaining the true meaning of his words, which he said had been taken out of context by Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN).

“As soon as I learnt that my speech had been given a spin (to distort its message) by PH and BN agents, I sent a letter to the sultan of Selangor, to give context to what I had said in my speech, which was deliberately twisted,” he said in the statement posted on his Facebook page.

“My letter was preceded by an apology to His Majesty while expressing hope that His Majesty’s wrath would not arise on the issues raised from the speech.

“I was informed by palace officials that the sultan of Selangor read my letter yesterday.”

At a recent ceramah, Sanusi allegedly insulted the ruler by appearing to question his choice of Amirudin Shari as menteri besar.

He had suggested the Kedah sultan would not have appointed someone like Amirudin to helm the state.

On Wednesday, Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said the police had begun a probe into Sanusi.

He said investigations are being conducted by a special team from Bukit Aman that focuses on issues related to the 3Rs – race, religion and royalty.

Thirty-one police reports had been lodged against Sanusi over his speech to date.

The PAS leader confirmed he had given his statement to Bukit Aman yesterday. – July 15, 2023.