PETALING JAYA: The prosecution of Kedah caretaker Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor is "selective" and a misuse of the Sedition Act for political purposes, claims opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (pic).
Hamzah claimed that the government used the police to raid and arrest Muhammad Sanusi at 3am on Tuesday (July 18) was an act of political persecution.
"Was it necessary for the Kedah mentri besar to be treated that way? He apologised on the matter and even stated that he was willing to cooperate with the police including that he received the notice to appear in court," he said in a statement on Tuesday (July 18).
Hamzah pointed out the charges against Muhammad Sanusi were an offence under Section (4)(1)(a) Sedition Act 1948 that carried the maximum penalty of RM5,000.
"In fact, the prosecution team led by the Attorney General himself offered bail of only RM5,000. So, it is very clear that the manner of the arrest went beyond the alleged offence.
"I strongly oppose the series of selective prosecutions and the act of misusing the Sedition Act for political purposes, given that there are non-Perikatan leaders who are involved in issuing inflammatory statements and are not subject to legal action," he said in a statement on Tuesday (July 18).
Hamzah said Perikatan had always maintained and would continue to defend that the coalition’s main policy which was to always uphold, preserve and defend the constitutional monarchy.
He also called all Perikatan supporters to remain calm and maintain public order as well as to pray for justice for the Perikatan leader.
On Tuesday (July 18), Muhammad Sanusi was charged under the Sedition Act 1948 at Two Session Courts in Selayang.
For the first charge, he was accused of uttering a seditious statement that could incite disloyalty to the Rulers.
The second charge was in connection with his speech which questioned Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's statement on the Royal Decree and the establishment of the unity government.
Muhammad Sanusi claimed trial to both charges.
