Bersatu decries 'selective prosecution' against Muhyiddin

Bersatu supreme council has voiced support for its party president Muhyiddin Yassin, amid what it described as “another politically motivated, selective, and malicious prosecution” against the Perikatan Nasional coalition and its leadership.

This followed a supreme council meeting on Wednesday chaired by deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin said the council unanimously resolved to stand with Muhyiddin and urged party’s members and supporters to join in solidarity.

“Bersatu strongly condemns the hypocrisy of (Prime Minister) Anwar Ibrahim and Pakatan Harapan leaders who used to be outspoken in opposing the Sedition Act 1948 and promised in its 15th general election manifesto to repeal the law that is said to be draconian.

“Ironically, after becoming the government, they have repeatedly used the Sedition Act to pressure and oppress their political opponents,” he added.

Despite explanations from the police, he said the police and the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) had rushed to press charges against Muhyiddin without considering the facts of the case, witnesses’ testimonies, and documents provided.

He noted that the police turned in investigation papers to the AGC on the same day they recorded Muhyiddin’s statement and received supporting documents from the former premier.

Trust in judiciary

Despite its ordeal, the party expressed its faith in the judiciary.

“Bersatu believes the country’s judiciary will act freely, fairly and wisely in evaluating the totality of provisions under the Sedition Act, including provisions that exclude an act, speech, word, publication or other thing from being deemed seditious,” he said, in apparent reference to Section 3(2) of the Sedition Act.

Among others, Section 3(2) states that such utterances shall not be deemed seditious if they only have a tendency to show that a ruler has been misled or was mistaken.

Muhyiddin had claimed trial to a sedition charge under Section 4(1) of the act on Tuesday, over a speech he gave weeks earlier at Felda Perasu, Kelantan, on Aug 14.

He supposedly lamented in his speech that the previous Yang di-Pertuan Agong did not call him to form the government after the last general election despite having the support of 115 MPs.

The speech prompted the Pahang palace to lodge a police report against him on Aug 18, accusing him of belittling the state’s ruler Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah who was the Yang di-Pertuan Agong during the election.

No rush

Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain had denied accusations of rushing the probe against Muhyiddin, saying that investigations are normally completed within seven days.

“Within the seven-day timeframe, the investigation could be completed within four days.

“The AGC might then need one or two days to record statements and issue instructions to prosecute,” Berita Harian quoted him as saying on Tuesday.

Bersatu pans 'hypocrite' Anwar for using Sedition Act against opponents

Bersatu rep recalls Karpal sedition case in stroll down memory lane

Putrajaya not behind sedition charge against Muhyiddin, says Fahmi

'Sedition Act was being reviewed when Muhyiddin home minister'

Cop probes: Zahid laments double standards, IGP rues 'slow-fast' brickbats

Muhyiddin's sedition charge: Hamzah says truth will prevail