PERIKATAN Nasional (PN) chairman Muhyiddin Yassin has called out the government for using legal instruments to “pressure its political opponents” following the prosecution of caretaker Kedah menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor for offences under section 4(1)(a) of the Sedition Act 1948.

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

Perhaps Muhyiddin should recall that two years ago, in May 2021 a member of Sarawak PKR Iswardy Morni was remanded for two days to assist in investigations into the statements he made on YouTube allegedly insulting Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah. 

Iswardy was subsequently charged under section 4(1)(a) of the Act. 

Wasn’t Muhyiddin the prime minister then?

Successive governments, including the current one, have vowed to abolish or repeal the act. However, it is also the avowed main principles and policies of every government, past and present, to uphold the sovereignty and nobility of the Malay rulers as constitutional monarchs.

Until the act is repealed and a new law is passed, it is understandable that the public prosecutor has fallen back on the act to address issues that could lead to disharmony and disunity. – July 20, 2023.

* Hafiz Hassan reads The Malaysian Insight.