Malaysia Prices Opposition Chief With Sedition Over Remarks on Royalty

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysia on Tuesday charged opposition chief Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor with sedition for allegedly insulting the nation’s revered sultans, state media Bernama reported.

Muhammad Sanusi, a preferred politician with the Islamist celebration PAS and the chief minister of Kedah state, has pleaded not responsible, in accordance with the report, which mentioned he was charged with two counts of sedition over remarks made in a political speech this month.

Malaysia’s sultans play a largely ceremonial function, together with performing as custodians of Islam within the Muslim-majority nation, and are held in deep respect.

Damaging remarks about its royalty could be prosecuted beneath a colonial-era Sedition Act, which has been used towards individuals who criticise the sultans on social media.

It’s much like Thailand, which has a strict lese majeste regulation prohibiting insults towards its monarchy. Nonetheless, sedition prices towards Malaysian politicians have been uncommon in recent times.

The fees come as political tensions rise in Malaysia forward of subsequent month’s regional polls during which the opposition alliance – which incorporates PAS – is anticipated to pose a robust problem to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s ruling alliance.

Kedah is without doubt one of the six states that may elect a brand new authorities on Aug. 12.

Muhammad Sanusi’s remarks, in accordance with different media studies, questioned selections taken by the royalty concerning the formation of presidency within the federal and state stage.

If discovered responsible, he faces as much as three years in jail and a most penalty of 5,000 ringgit ($1,102.54).

(Reporting by A. Ananthalakshmi; Enhancing by Martin Petty)

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