PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said emphasizes that an apology is not a legal defense, responding to Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor’s apology for his remarks on the Selangor Sultan. She stated that raising divisive issues and disrespecting the royal institution are violations of the law, which cannot be resolved simply with an apology. Azalina Othman Said, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), expressed this in a tweet on Saturday (July 15).
The Minister further highlighted that while freedom of expression is a constitutional right enshrined under Article 10(1)(a) for Malaysian citizens, it is also subject to Article 10(2), which ensures the preservation of public peace and harmony. She emphasized the responsibility of politicians and those in power, stating that their words have the power to influence the public, especially during election season. This reference was made in relation to Sanusi’s remarks on Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
In order to allow the police to investigate those who breach the law by raising divisive issues, Sanusi called for the freedom from interference by any party. He made this statement in response to recent reports lodged by PKR members and the Royal Council of Selangor, accusing him of insulting the Selangor Ruler during a Perikatan Nasional ceramah (political talk).
Sanusi also mentioned in a Facebook post that he had sent a letter to Istana Selangor (the Selangor Palace) to explain his side of the story to Sultan Sharafuddin. He confirmed his cooperation with the police regarding the reports filed against him.
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Saya ingin membawa perhatian kepada tindakan Menteri Besar Kedah, Datuk Seri @SanusiMNor, di mana beliau telah dalam ceramah politiknya, mempersoalkan kewibawaan Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah berkaitan pemilihan Menteri Besar #Selangor baru-baru ini.
Kerajaan mahu tegaskan…
— Azalina Othman Said (@AzalinaOthmanS) July 15, 2023
Credit: The Star : News Feed
