Former Appeals Court Judge Mohd Noor Abdullah has suggested the introduction of a Treason Act (Akta Derhaka) to protect the royal institution from being maligned.

According to Bernama , he had suggested that the minimum penalty for those found to have acted in a treasonous manner against the royal institution must not be less than a two-year jail term.

"There should be laws on what actions amounts to treason. Such a law is suitable because there are people who don't understand the powers of the Malay Rulers," he said.

He added that such a law must spell out the definition of treason and it should cover actions, speeches, satire, graphics and other materials.

"It is now time to enact laws on treason. It should not be regulated under (laws against sedition)," he told reporters after speaking at a seminar on the royal institution, organised by Universiti Malaysia Perlis, in Kuala Lumpur.

"This is to make the people know that there is no forgiveness for those who commit treason."

NONE Although the event was opened to the media, Malaysiakini was barred from covering the event.

Mohd Noor's comments follow police investigations against a woman for allegedly insulting the Agong on her Facebook page.

Before formulating the law, he said, the society especially the young generation should be exposed and given explanation on the system of constitutional monarchy practised in the country.

"Taking action without providing an explanation is tyranny, but let the explanation be done by the legal experts.

"Don't let politicians with vested interests to do it," he reportedly said.

Rulers can't be questioned

Earlier, when tabling a working paper, Mohd Noor said freedom of speech did not allow an individual to question the powers, rights and privileges of a ruler that had been enshrined in the constitution.

"In fact, anyone who attempt to incite the abolishment of the monarchy, even in Parliament, can be charged in court eventhough they have the immunity to discuss other matters in the august House," he added.

The seminar, themed 'making monarchical rule sustainable' is held in conjunction with the Raja of Perlis 70th birthday celebration.

Previously, Mohd Noor had courted controversy when he had at a forum last month warned the Chinese of a  backlash from the Malays after that community had allegedly "betrayed" the Malays in the last polls.

This has resulted in many police reports lodged against him. The Kuala Lumpur police have confirmed that investigations, under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948, are complete.

Forum organisers had then lamented that Malaysiakini had taken his words out of context.

The portal has since reproduced the full transcript of the former judge's statement.

Mohd Noor also sits on one of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's advisory panel.