I VERY much regret that the so-called reform-minded Madani government would have to resort to the dreaded and archaic Sedition Act 1948 to charge the Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Muhyiddin was charged under this dreaded act for questioning the former Yang di-Pertuan Agong (YDPA) for not choosing him as the prime minister (PM) in 2022.

Anwar was instead chosen to be the PM by the Agong having cobbled the numbers to form a simple majority in the Parliament.

In a speech during the Nenggiri by-election, Muhyiddin had showed his displeasure for not being chosen by the former Agong even though he claimed that he had a simple majority.

Muhyiddin’s speech might not have been appropriate during the by-election but whether such a speech constitutes a violation of the law and should be charged under the Sedition Act is questionable.

As some have argued, Malaysia is not under an absolute but constitutional monarchy which allows for criticisms and difference of opinions on the role of the monarchy.

Given this, even if the contents of Muhyiddin’s speech were inappropriate or controversial, was it necessary to charge him under the Sedition Act 1948?

Hundreds of police reports against Muhyiddin are no indication of the seriousness of the crime committed. These mindless police reports have been tainted by political considerations more than anything else.

My argument is simple: the Bersatu president should not have been charged under the Sedition Act 1948. This obnoxious legislation has no place in a country where the government in power talks endlessly of reforms, democratic changes and openness.

It is unfortunate that the Madani government that came to power seems to rely on outdated and anachronistic laws to stay in power.

Muhyiddin was charged because he is the leader of the opposition that has all the potential to unseat the present hypocritical government in the near future.

The use of the Sedition Act 1948 against Muhyiddin might not make him unlikeable but on the contrary more popular.

In fact, the government under PM Anwar is sowing the seeds of its own political oblivion. - Aug 29, 2024

Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council. 

https://focusmalaysia.my/ramasamy-charging-muhyiddin-for-sedition-might-make-him-even-more-popular/