PN: Double standards, blaming only opposition but not govt leaders

Several Perikatan Nasional MPs have cried “double standards” in cases involving issues related to race, religion and royalty (3R).

This comes after Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail only cited examples of 3R cases involving PN MPs in the lower house earlier during question time.

Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden (Perikatan Nasional-Alor Setar) said that opposition MPs were “shocked” at the lack of cases cited by the minister involving MPs from the government bloc.

“We are shocked at why no (Pakatan) Harapan-BN leaders were mentioned. Such as Bagan MP (Lim Guan Eng) who claimed if PN was given the opportunity to rule Penang, kuil (temples) would be destroyed.

“He (Lim) denied making the statement, but what action was taken by the authorities? Why was it not mentioned earlier?

“This is an example of double standards - by only blaming opposition MPs but (cases) involving Harapan-BN are not mentioned,” Afnan (above) said at a press conference today.

Lim’s case was last updated on July 9, where Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department deputy director G Suresh Kumar said the Bagan MP was being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 505(b) of the Penal Code.

Afnan also cited the case of PKR member Iswardi Morni who was detained on May 29 last year after his YouTube video, criticising the Yang d-Pertuan Agong and the then government over the management of the Covid-19 pandemic, was circulated on social media.

Iswardi was suspended from the party for criticising the party leadership on social media but his membership was reinstated in January this year.

The Alor Setar MP also raised a statement made by Women, Family and Community Development Deputy Minister Aiman Athirah Sabu who claimed that PAS was dominated by leaders with a ‘takfiri’ (labelling other Muslims as infidels) mindset.

Saifuddin told the Dewan Rakyat today that the police only conducted 3R investigations when there were reports lodged on issues believed to be seditious.

He was responding to a question by Muhyiddin Yassin (PN-Pagoh) who asked Saifuddin to explain why 3R issues were off-limits.

He then detailed several instances of statements made by Muhyiddin as reasons the latter was investigated by the police on 3R issues.

Saifuddin also cited other examples, including a statement by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang (PN-Marang).

Saifuddin explains why Muhyiddin being probed on 3R, denies lack of SOP

Bersatu MP cries 3R over ‘takbir’ rule at pro-Palestine rally

Hadi challenges Harapan to go after 'real' 3R issues

AGC still working on Hadi, Mahathir and Muhyiddin's 3R cases