At the ready: Members of the media waiting at the Selayang Court Complex for Mohammad Sanusi’s arrival.
PETALING JAYA: Calling out Pakatan Harapan for wielding a law it previously abhorred, Perikatan Nasional leaders are crying “double standards” in the charging of Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
They vowed that the Sedition Act charges against the caretaker Kedah Mentri Besar would not dent the Opposition coalition in any way.
Leading the chorus was PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, who said Perikatan would maintain Muhammad Sanusi as national election director for the six state polls despite him being charged in court.
Hitting out at what he claimed were “double standards” practised by the Barisan Nasional-Pakatan unity government in handling the 3R (royalty, religion and race) issue, Tuan Ibrahim said this had only served to strengthen Perikatan’s resolve to go all out in the state polls.
“Hauling Muhammad Sanusi to court under the Sedition Act will fuel the people’s hatred against the Barisan-Pakatan government and in turn, form a bigger wave for Perikatan in the state elections.
“We are more resolved now to expose the failures of the Barisan-Pakatan governments in Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Penang,” he said, adding that Perikatan would come up with a manifesto to woo support.
Tuan Ibrahim claimed that the general sentiment on the ground was one of sympathy towards the embattled caretaker Kedah MB, and that the Sedition Act was being used frivolously by the government to silence the Opposition.
“If one looks at the Pakatan manifesto and speeches made by its leaders prior to them becoming the government, they wanted this Act to be repealed, stating that it was prone to abuse,” he said when contacted.
Bersatu deputy president Datuk Ahmad Faizal Azumu alleged that the current government seemed more “impertinent” on 3R issues, claiming that DAP had previously questioned Malay privileges.
“Perikatan component parties will always be the first to uphold the sovereignty of the Malay Rulers and this was proven when it was the government. We will continue to do so as the Opposition.
“I urge our members and leaders to be extra careful in the coming elections as we see double standards being wielded in using the Sedition Act against the Opposition in the name of 3R issues,” he added.
Terengganu caretaker Mentri Besar and PAS vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar described the arrest of Muhammad Sanusi in the wee hours as a “desperate act of those about to lose”.
“The case will not affect our election campaign in the six states. As you can see, there were more cameramen than supporters at the Selayang Sessions Court,” he added.
Meanwhile, senior fellow at the Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research Dr Azmi Hassan said Perikatan would undoubtedly use the arrest and charges against Muhammad Sanusi to gain sympathy votes, citing the indictment of former US president Donald Trump as an example.
“They may attract their hardcore supporters in Selangor, but those neutral may be turned off as this concerns their Ruler. There won’t be much effect in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.
“Although we are not sure when Muhammad Sanusi’s trial will begin, it will nevertheless impede the Perikatan election campaign in some ways as he is, after all, its national election director.
“The government’s hands are tied for it needed to show it took action as it involved the Sultan of Selangor.
“As for Muhammad Sanusi, he needs to learn his lesson from Thai politician Pita Limjaroenrat who, despite winning the general election, failed to get voted in as prime minister. This, too, despite his popularity.
“Pita was seen as anti-monarchy and thus his failure to get voted in as prime minister,” said Azmi.
