KUALA LUMPUR: Prosecutors in Malaysia have charged the popular opposition leader Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor with two counts of sedition for insulting the revered sultans of the country.
The chief minister of Kedah state and leader of the conservative Islamic party, PAS, Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor was presented in court to face the charges on Tuesday.
During the hearing, he pleaded not guilty, according to media reports.
Sanusi’s statement, given in a political speech earlier this month, raised questions on decisions taken by the Malaysian royalty regarding the establishment of government at the federal and state level.
Following his court appearance, Sanusi accused the government of stifling free speech.
He said that it seems that in Malaysia, nobody can say anything. He strongly criticized the government for “restricting” freedom of speech, saying that in Malaysia, there is a fearful government that uses the police to arrest and suppress the freedom of speech, with all public agencies being used to stop the development and wellbeing of the people.
If found guilty, Sanusi faces up to 3 years in jail and a maximum penalty of 5,000 ringgit (about 1,100 dollars).
Sultans in Malaysia
The sultans in Malaysia play a largely ceremonial role, including acting as custodians of Islam and are highly revered by the people.
Negative remarks about the royalty can lead to prosecution under a colonial-era Sedition law, which has been employed against those who criticise the sultans on social media. But sedition charges against politicians have been rare in recent years.
The charges against Sanusi come as political tensions soar in the country ahead of regional elections in August in which the opposition alliance is likely to pose a strong challenge to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim‘s ruling alliance.
Kedah is one of the 6 states in the country that will elect a new government on 12 August.
