Former de facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim has urged compassion for the youth who was sentenced to one year's jail for insulting the Johor crown prince, saying this is a humanitarian issue which deserves consideration.

Responding to the statement by Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, Zaid said prior to this he had commented that it was not a matter of someone escaping from the clutches of the law.

He added that on this issue, there should be some consideration given.

“If the punishment meted out is heavy, then it warrants further consideration. Justice must take many factors into consideration.

“There must be compassion and based on humanitarian consideration,” he told Malaysiakini via WhatApps.

Zaid (photo) was asked to comment on Tunku Ismail who had yesterday indicated he will not help his critics who are facing criminal punishment or have landed in prison for insulting him.

Tunku Ismail made his statement after civil rights group had asked the Johor palace to pardon Muhammad Amirul Azwan Mohd Shakri, 19, who was given the maximum sentence of one year in prison for insulting the prince on matters related to football.

“Who am I to interfere with the police or the law?" the prince had said in a Facebook statement.

Tunku Ismail pointed out that actions against his critics were not initiated by him but those who still "love the royal institution".

"There are people also saying that I have ordered their arrest but in reality, the police reports are made by the people of Johor who still love the royal institution.

"My question to them is - if they make the report, what does it have to do with me?" he had asked.

Amirul was sentenced to prison after he pleaded guilty for making the comment on Facebook between March and April.

He was charged under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 where a person is liable to face a maximum fine of RM50,000 or one year's jail or both if convicted.