SHAH ALAM - Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil has clarified that the actions taken against caretaker Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor were not politically motivated but rather a response to his defiance of reminders and clear warnings regarding remarks on 3R (royalty, religion, and race) matters.
Expressing regret, Fahmi highlighted the disregard shown by someone in such a high position towards numerous warnings, including those from the Sultans.
He clarified that the issue at hand was not political but rather about upholding law and order and institutional respect.
"It is important to acknowledge Malaysia as a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy, where the Federal Constitution defines the roles," Fahmi said in a video posted by Umno Supreme Council (MT) member Datuk Lokman Noor Adam on Twitter.
On the calls to repeal the Sedition Act 1948, Fahmi noted that the statute fell under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of law and institutional reform.
However, he argued that the Act was rarely utilised since the unity government assumed power.
"If anything, the Sedition Act is used extremely rarely and sparingly, only for what I will presume to be extreme cases," he said.
Fahmi said it was important to recognise that a series of events had led to Sanusi's arrest.
"A number of police reports were also made by the public, and a police report was lodged by the Selangor Royal Council," he said.
"The most important thing to know is that this has nothing to do with the government or state elections," he explained.
Muhammad Sanusi claimed trial to two charges under the Sedition Act at the Selayang Sessions Court on Tuesday.
He was accused of uttering a seditious statement that could incite disloyalty to the Rulers.
The offence was allegedly committed on July 11.