KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (Tambun-PH) said he has not prompted investigations into statements that touch on sensitivities involving the royals.
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat today, Anwar said that while he has told the police that there was no need to draw up probes under the Sedition Act 1948 on statements involving the government, it is up to the royals if they wish for actions to be taken against those who question their position.
“I have explained to police that if the statements are critical of the government or my administration as prime minister, I do not want the Sedition Act to be used (for investigations).
“But, if you touch on the Malay rulers, then action must be taken because we have to be fair to them as they cannot answer (to accusations) in Parliament or through the media.
“The Malay rulers have informed the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), the police and me as prime minister that they do not want to be dragged into political discourse,” Anwar said during his winding-up speech on the 12th Malaysia Plan mid-term review.
Highlighting a Selangor Royal Council member’s move to lodge a police report against Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohd Sanusi Md Nor for alleged insults against Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Anwar stressed that he had not interfered in such matters.
“The police report was not filed by me, nor did the AGC take action based on a report from the government. The report from the royal council was based on a decree from the Selangor Sultan.
“If we listen to the opposition, it sounds as if they are putting aside this fact,” Anwar said.
He also referenced the ongoing probe against PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang (Marang-PN) for allegedly questioning the authority of the Pardons Board, whose state meetings are presided over by a state Ruler or the Yang di-Pertua Negeri.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong chairs meetings of the Federal Territories Pardons Board.
“To question the authority of the Pardons Board is akin to doubting the position of the Malay rulers. I have no space and my power is limited (on investigations into such claims),” Anwar said.
Previously, it was reported that police have submitted to the AGC its investigation papers on Hadi’s statement allegedly disputing the power of the Pardons Board.
In a campaign speech in Johor last month, Hadi had claimed that under Islamic principles, the party that has a right to grant a pardon is a victim’s family members, not the Pardons Board.
Anwar’s explanation on the matter was delivered to a half-empty lower House as opposition MPs had earlier staged a walk-out in apparent solidarity with Datuk Radzi Jidin (Putrajaya-PN), who was booted out from the Dewan for causing a ruckus.
PAS MP Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (Arau-PN) had previously pressed the government to explain which laws dictate enforcement action against 3R (race, religion and royalty) offences. – September 19, 2023