KUALA LUMPUR: Claims of a conspiracy and prior plan to arrest caretaker Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor have been dismissed by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police.Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the timeline of the case clearly showed the events leading up to the PAS leader’s arrest for alleged sedition on July 18.
“Anyone can make any claim. But you have to look at the chronology of the case and it shows that he made the statement on July 11, and the next day reports were already lodged against him.
“Then, on July 14, a police report was made by the Selangor Royal Council. So it was based on that chronology of events that we made our arrest,” he said.
Claims about the police starting their investigations six months before or there being a conspiracy did not even arise, he added.
“This is action taken following the statements made that were insulting to the royal institution. That is the backstory and any other claims made are merely claims,” Ayob Khan said when met after an event at Bukit Aman yesterday to send off police athletes to the World Police and Fire Games in Winnipeg, Canada.
He also urged everyone, especially politicians, to look at the Rukun Negara and understand what its principles stand for.
“Many warnings have already been made. If there are any individuals who are still inclined to insult the royal institution, strict action will be taken. And when we do take strict action, don’t change the story. So be careful. We will take action regardless of your background,” he warned.
Regarding investigations into PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang and DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng, whose statements allegedly touched on sensitive 3R (race, religion and royalty) issues, Ayob Khan said the investigation papers have been sent to the Attorney General’s Chambers on July 17.
“We are awaiting further instructions,” he added.
On July 18, Muhammad Sanusi was arrested in Kuala Lumpur at 3am before being charged at the Selayang Court hours later for two sedition charges over political speeches he had made about a week before.
One of the speeches provoked an outcry after he allegedly “belittled” the Sultan of Selangor for having appointed Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari as the Mentri Besar, while another touched on the formation of the unity government. The Jeneri assemblyman pleaded not guilty to the charges of uttering seditious remarks that could incite disloyalty towards the Rulers.
On July 22, at a rally in Kuala Ketil, Kedah, Muhammad Sanusi was quoted as saying that he had been informed that a plot to arrest and discredit him had been planned six months ago.
In an unrelated matter, Ayob Khan said he was unaware of how former home minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin had supposedly gotten information from his friends within the police force about Perikatan Nasional being the frontrunner in the upcoming state election.
The Perikatan secretary-general reportedly said that at a ceramah in Tanjong Karang, Selangor, last Sunday.
“You have to ask him yourself. Even I do not know how he got such intel,” the Deputy IGP said without naming Hamzah.
