Syed Saddiq questioned over interview critical of PM, PN
Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has been questioned over an interview he gave back in March in which he was critical of Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and the Perikatan Nasional government.
Contacted by Malaysiakini today, he said that Bukit Aman had informed him on June 13 that he is being investigated over his appearance on Al Jazeera’s UpFront programme on March 6.
Updated to include a statement from Syed Saddiq’s lawyer Rafique Rashid Ali after his client was questioned.
Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has been questioned over an interview he gave back in March in which he was critical of Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and the Perikatan Nasional government.
Contacted by Malaysiakini today, he said that Bukit Aman had informed him on June 13 that he is being investigated over his appearance on Al Jazeera’s UpFront programme on March 6.
He was questioned at about 2pm today at the federal police headquarters.
“I will give my full cooperation to the police,” he said.
Bukit Aman CID deputy director (investigations/legal) Mior Faridalathrash Wahid confirmed the matter with Malaysiakini when contacted.
He also confirmed that Syed Saddiq is being probed under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Those found guilty on their first offence under Section 4(1) - which concerns words or involvement in publications deemed seditious - could face up to three years in jail, a RM5,000 fine, or both.
Those convicted of Section 233 - which involves improper use of network facilities or network service - could face up to one year in jail, an RM50,000 fine, or both.
They could be further fined RM1,000 for every day the offence is continued after conviction.
Syed Saddiq’s lawyer Rafique Rashid Ali later told Malaysiakini that his client was questioned for under an hour about the Al Jazeera interview.
“There was allegedly an issue with the royal coup and backdoor government by PN (comments).
“But Syed Saddiq had clearly answered that it was unfair to blame His Royal Highness (during the Al Jazeera interview),” he said.
“He will continue to cooperate with the authorities whilst maintaining his constitutional right as an MP and youth leader to speak the truth without fear or favour,” Rafique added.
During the broadcasted interview, which was aired shortly after PN formed government, Syed Saddiq had expressed his disappointment in Muhyiddin for aligning himself with “kleptocrats” despite once vowing to challenge them.
He had also branded the new administration as an “illegitimate” and “backdoor” government.
Syed Saddiq is aligned with disputed Bersatu chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is at odds with Bersatu president Muhyiddin.
The probe on the former youth and sports minister comes as the police also investigate into former water, land and natural resources minister Xavier Jayakumar and former women, family and community development deputy minister Hannah Yeoh.
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