On Tuesday, Mr Anwar underscored the need for the Sedition Act in cases involving comments against the royal institution.
“Yes, fundamentally, we avoid the use of the Sedition Act.
“However, when it comes to matters concerning the … position and dignity of the rulers, … this is something we should uphold,” Mr Anwar was quoted as saying by FMT after officiating a programme in Sekinchan, Selangor.
He also stressed then that the Sedition Act would not be used if it involved criticisms against him in his role as the prime minister, according to Malay daily Utusan Malaysia.
Following the charges of sedition against caretaker Kedah chief minister Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor for allegedly insulting Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, members of the opposition have criticised Mr Anwar and the Malaysian government for using the Sedition Act.
Muhyiddin Yassin – chairman of the opposition Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition – in a statement on Wednesday, accused the government of “using legal instruments to suppress their political opponents”. Sanusi is the PN election director.
Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin on Tuesday night claimed that the prosecution of Sanusi was “selective” and motivated by “political vengeance”.
Earlier on Tuesday, Sanusi pleaded not guilty to the two charges against him. The charge carries a maximum sentence of three years in jail or a fine of RM5,000 (US$1,100). He was granted bail of RM5,000 for each charge.
The first charge was in relation to him making seditious remarks against the Selangor ruler while the second charge was related to uttering seditious words regarding the establishment of the unity government led by Mr Anwar.
Both the alleged utterances were said during a political rally in Selangor on Jul 11.
In a press conference after he was charged, Sanusi claimed that the charges against him were meant to hurt his chances at the upcoming state polls and were an attempt at silencing the opposition.
Source: CNA
