GOMBAK - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says he has never interfered in the arrest of caretaker Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor who was charged with insulting the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
However, he questioned the act of Selangor Pas commissioner Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi who had apologised to the Sultan even though he previously denied that Sanusi made such statement.
"People accused Anwar of being cruel because he brought someone to court. For what case? Insulting the Selangor royal institution. Who lodged the report? The Selangor Royal Council, not me. So you might want to perhaps direct your anger towards the council.
"Why would the Selangor Royal Council lodge the report? Because it received consent of the Sultan of Selangor.
"If he actually is innocent, why did the Pas commissioner apologised to the Sultan of Selangor? Then, what did His Majesty say? It was not settled... the next day, the charges were made against him (Sanusi).
"Royalty surpasses politics. This is all because they (Pas) mingled with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, learned from Dr Mahathir, then ended up getting charged," he said at the 'Kita Hulu Kelang Bersama PMX' event yesterday.
Anwar however said that he was informed about Sanusi's arrest.
"But that's now under the purview of the police, prosecution and judge. I did not interfere. You can ask the Inspector-General of Police,” he said.
On Monday, Sanusi pleaded not guilty in two Sessions Courts in Selayang to two charges of sedition by inciting disloyalty to the royal institution and the government in his political speech on July 11. - AWANI