Summary

  • PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari questions if Sarawak PKR leader Iswardy Morni being fined RM5,000 was too lenient for insulting the king.

  • Citing other cases involving a labourer and housewife who were jailed for six to eight months, he calls on the AG to file an appeal.

  • Fadhli says if the appeal is not filed, the government risks being seen as undermining the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari questioned if a Sarawak PKR leader received a lenient sentence for insulting the previous Yang di-Pertuan Agong compared to others who faced harsher penalties.

He urged the attorney-general (AG) to appeal the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court’s decision, which imposed a RM5,000 fine on Iswardy Morni for the offence.

“If no appeal is made, will the government risk being seen as undermining the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong -especially one that has served with distinction?” he wrote in a social media post.

Fadhli (above) pointed out the alleged disparity by comparing this case to that of a labourer and a housewife, who were sentenced to six and eight months in prison, respectively, for similar offences.

“This stark difference raises significant concerns about justice and transparency in enforcing the law. Does political status or social standing influence the severity of punishment?” he asked.

He said if the AG does not file an appeal against this sentence, it would reinforce the perception that the government is not serious about upholding the nation’s highest institution.

Iswardy Morni

“Therefore, to preserve the dignity of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and ensure justice for all citizens regardless of their status, the government must ensure that an appeal against this sentence is filed.

“Failing to do so will not only tarnish the reputation of the monarchy but also erode public trust in the government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law,” he added.

The Pasir Mas MP also raised the royal addendum related to imprisoned former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, which the government has denied concealing.

First-time offender

Yesterday, Sessions Court Judge M Edwin Paramjothy ordered that Iswardy, 48, serve six months in prison should he fail to settle the fine.

He stated that first-time offenders like Iswardy are generally entitled to some degree of mitigation, except in cases where the offence is so severe that minimal concession is warranted.

“The accused has no prior record of similar offences, strengthening the argument for mitigation. There is no evidence to suggest that the accused has engaged in habitual or recurrent misconduct of this nature, which indicates that rehabilitation remains a viable objective in sentencing,” he said.

Iswardy, who paid the fine, was charged under Section 4(1)(a) of the Sedition Act 1948, which carries a fine of up to RM5,000, a maximum three-year imprisonment, or both, upon conviction.

S'wak PKR leader found guilty of insulting former Agong

S'wak PKR leader found guilty of insulting former Agong