Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan has hit back at his critics who he described as having  "big mouths", warning them to be "mindful" of the Sedition Act.

 

Abdul Rahman said this today in reference to PKR's Alor Setar MP Gooi Hsiao Leung who likened him to a North Korean leader for slamming the US for simply expressing concern about Malaysia's use of the Sedition Act.

 

PKR legal bureau chief Latheefa Koya had then conveyed the North Korean analogy to Abdul Rahman via Twitter, prompting an outburst from the minister.

 

"Both of you have big mouths. Government will guarantee your right to use or abuse it. Just mindful of Sedition Act, okay," he said in a posting.

 

At this, Latheefa ( right ) shot back at Abdul Rahman for apparently threatening his critics with the colonial era law.

 

"Threatening and bullying and draconian laws - cheap shot," she said.

 

Abdul Rahman in a Sinar Harian report yesterday told the US not to meddle in Malaysian affairs, stating the country's future, security and harmony is not Washington's responsibility.

 

He said this after the US embassy issued a statement acknowledging Wednesday's protest against the Sedition Act by the Bar Council and expressed concern over the use of the draconian law.

 

Elaborating on Twitter, Abdul Rahman defended his actions, stating that he was merely defending the country's sovereignty against outside interference.

 

"(I am) defending the nation's dignity from interference which are you aren't capable of," he said in a series of exchanges with Latheefa.

 

Abdul Rahman also called Gooi "shallow" for likening him to a North Korean minister.

 

Latheefa then rebutted: "How is it not different from North Korea when you government people practically charge and arrest MPs, lawyers and FB persons (users)".

 

Responding to this, Abdul Rahman who is also Kota Belud MP said offenders must face the law.

 

"That's the problem with you. You think just because you are a lawyer or MP, you have divine right and (are) above the law?" he said.