Prosecutors in Malaysia have charged an opposition leader with two counts of sedition for insulting the country’s revered sultans, according to media reports.
Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, a popular politician with the conservative Islamic party, PAS, appeared in court to face the charges on Tuesday.
He pleaded not guilty, according to Malaysia’s official Bernama news agency.
Sanusi’s remarks, made in a political speech earlier this month, questioned decisions taken by the Malaysian royalty regarding the formation of government at the federal and state level, according to other media reports.
Following his court appearance, Sanusi, who is also the chief minister of Kedah state, accused the government of stifling free speech.
“It seems that in Malaysia, we can’t say anything,” he was quoted as saying.
“In Malaysia, we have a fearful government that uses the police to arrest and suppress our freedom of speech, with all public agencies being used to impede the development and wellbeing of the people. I am confident that with these charges, many Malaysians [now] realise their [government’s] real intentions,” he said.
If found guilty, Sanusi faces up to three years in prison and a maximum penalty of 5,000 ringgit (about $1,100).
“It seems that in Malaysia, we can’t say anything,” he was quoted as saying.
It sounds like he’s a victim, but if you challenge his islamic overreach in his state of Kedah, he will use the exact tactic and quote the constitution and whatsoever to silence you lol. He’s just a tiny Donald Trump, loud mouth when they’re not in power but didn’t change any shit when his coalition(a hardline islamic + racial supremacist party) is in power. Only know how to blame everyone else but his own fault.
His coalition lose the talking phase fair and square in the stalemate last election btw, and the King has to get involved else it will go on for weeks without a government in place. In a developed country, that wasn’t a big deal, but it’s a death stroke for a developing country.
