DEPUTY Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has brushed off claims that legal action was initiated against caretaker Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor because of the August 12 state elections. 

The Barisan Nasional chairman said that the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) had decided to press charges against the PAS leader and this not done in view of the forthcoming polls. 

“This was after the AGC found there was strong evidence to charge him in court,” he told reporters.

Earlier, Sanusi said the sedition charges against him will affect his chances in the state elections. 

The Perikatan Nasional election director said he is facing two charges over a speech made in Selayang on July 11 and the court had issued a gag order not to talk about the cases. 

“Their (government’s) purpose is to impact my chances in the state polls. It looks like in Malaysia we can’t say anything. If we are in the political field, we solve all our problems there.  

“In the field we will counter the arguments, but today in this country we have a fearful government. 

“They are using the police to stop or block our speech. This is a sign the government is scared,” he told reporters at the Selayang Sessions Court after he was charged.

Zahid said Sanusi should let the law take its course if he believes he had done nothing wrong.

“The court is the best platform for him to answer all the accusations and to defend himself.”

Asked why Sanusi was detained by police at 3am today, Zahid said it is the enforcement agency’s (police) right to do so.

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

He is alleged to have incited discontent or disaffection among the subjects of the Selangor ruler with his remark.

As for the second charge, Sanusi 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, at 11pm, on July 11. – July 18, 2023.