PETALING JAYA: The controversial caretaker Kedah Mentri Besar has issued an open apology for insulting the Selangor Ruler. However, de facto Law Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said believes that this may not be sufficient to clear his name.
Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, in his apology to Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah on Friday, explained how his speech was maliciously distorted to defame him.
In a Facebook post made yesterday, the Jeneri assemblyman and PAS national election director revealed that he had sent a letter to Istana Selangor to explain his side of the story to the Selangor Ruler.
Muhammad Sanusi clarified that he sent the letter after certain parts of his speech on July 11 in Selangor were intentionally manipulated.
Following allegations of belittling the Sultan of Selangor for appointing Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari as Selangor Mentri Besar, police reports were lodged against Muhammad Sanusi.
“My letter began with an apology to His Royal Highness, hoping that he was not offended by the issues, which were deliberately extracted from my speech,” stated Muhammad Sanusi on Facebook.
“I was informed by Selangor palace officers that His Royal Highness had agreed to accept the letter and read it on Friday, July 14.
“Out of respect for the protocols of liaising with Istana Selangor, it would not be appropriate to attach the letter here,” added Muhammad Sanusi.
The assemblyman also confirmed his cooperation with the police regarding the reports lodged against him.
“To assist them in completing their investigations over the reports lodged by PKR and others, I provided my statement to the police at Bukit Aman at 2am on Friday,” Muhammad Sanusi disclosed.
In the meantime, Azalina highlighted that an apology did not serve as a legal defense in law.
“Anyone who raises divisive issues, disrupts public peace, and fails to respect the royal institution must understand that this is a violation of the law and cannot be resolved solely with an apology, as an apology does not hold legal weight in criminal legislation,” tweeted the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform).
Azalina emphasized that although freedom of expression is a constitutional right of Malaysian citizens as stated in Article 10(1)(a), this right is subject to Article 10(2), which preserves public peace and harmony.
“As politicians or individuals in positions of power, we must recognize that our words have the ability to influence the public, particularly during the election season,” Azalina added. “Let the police have the freedom to investigate those who raise issues that breach the law without any external interference.”
Credit: The Star : News Feed
