Sedition Act unavoidable on matters related to rulers - PM on Sanusi

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim pointed out that since caretaker Kedah menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor had touched on the rulers, the use of the draconian Sedition Act against him was unavoidable.

"Fundamentally, we avoid the use of the Sedition Act, but when it comes to matters concerning the position, and dignity of the rulers...

"This is something we should uphold and prevent from becoming an unhealthy political discourse," he told reporters in Sekinchan, Selangor this afternoon.

The Pakatan Harapan chairperson was responding to criticism on the use of the legislation, which his coalition had opposed in the past.

However, Anwar declined to comment on the police arresting Sanusi at 3am beyond saying that the caretaker menteri besar was apprehended following thorough monitoring by the police.

The early morning arrest courted flak from within Harapan itself with PKR's Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin stating that the PAS leader was not a flight risk.

Sim also called for a review of the police's standard operating procedure (SOP) pertaining to the arrest of suspects.

The caretaker menteri besar, who is also Perikatan Nasional election director, was arrested at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

He was later slapped with two charges of sedition at the Sessions Court in Selayang over his ceramah on July 11, which touched on the Selangor ruler.

Sanusi claimed trial to both charges and was released on RM5,000 bail for each charge. The court also imposed a gag order on Sanusi, preventing him from discussing the trial in public.

Both cases are set for pre-trial proceedings on Oct 4.

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