Sanusi's arrest, prosecution may boost support for PN, claims Pahang Pas
KUANTAN - The detention and prosecution of Kedah Caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor today does not undermine the support of the people for Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the Aug 12 state elections.
Pas Pahang Chief Information Officer Mohd Tarmizi Yahya said the action also does not cripple the leadership and machinery of PN in campaigning to ensure victory for the coalition party.
"We respect the law and the prosecution that has been taken against Sanusi and certainly all Pas members has remain calm on this issue.
"Our focus is on state elections and we believe that this detention and prosecution will increase and enhance the support (of the people) for the Kedah Caretaker Menteri Besar and subsequently for PN in the upcoming State Election," he said, today.
On Tuesday morning, the Pas Election Director was arrested by the police in the capital city, this was confirmed by Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain.
Sanusi was charged in the Selayang Magistrate's Court, where he pleaded not guilty to charges of uttering seditious words in a political speech last week on the establishment of the Unity Government.
Today, he entered a plea of not guilty in front of Judge Nor Rajiah Mat Zin on the same charges related to the appointment of the Selangor Caretaker Menteri Besar mentioned in the same speech.
The charges were filed under Section 4(1)(a) of the Sedition Act 1948, which carries potential penalties under Section 4(1) of the same act.
Tarmizi, the caretaker of the Panching state seat, asserted that the charges brought against Sanusi were aimed at creating a negative perception and tarnishing the image of both Sanusi and PN.
He believed that the public was aware that this issue was merely a ploy by Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN), who lacked substantive issues to highlight in the state elections across six states.
Tarmizi said the people viewed this action as regressive, as it restricted their freedom of expression.
"Therefore, we believe that the support for Sanusi and PN will not waver.
In fact, we are witnessing an increasing realisation among the public that PH, especially in advocating justice and freedom of expression, is merely rhetoric," he further elaborated.
When questioned about PN Pahang's preparations for the state elections in six states, Tarmizi, the PN Pahang Chief Information Officer said the coalition party has deployed volunteers to aid Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Terengganu election campaigns.
"We will harness the same spirit we had during the previous general election to ensure PN's victory during the state election," he added.
