Spare Muhyiddin 'oppressive, obnoxious' Act, says ex-deputy minister
Published: Aug 21, 2024 9:31 AM
Mohamed Hanipa Maidin cited the Quran in expressing disagreement with Perikatan Nasional chairperson being investigated under the Sedition Act.
The former deputy minister overseeing legal affairs during the Pakatan Harapan administration said while he disagreed with Muhyiddin’s remarks, which have ignited a firestorm, the latter however should not be subjected to an oppressive piece of legislation.
“I totally resent the fact for him to be investigated let alone tried under the Sedition Act.
“I know for a fact the oppressiveness of the Act because I used to defend Harapan leaders such as (former minister Abdul) Khalid Samad who was charged under the Act. And the oppressive elements in the Act are still intact,” he said.
In 2018, the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur acquitted Khalid of a charge of sedition against the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) four years earlier. The High Court later upheld the acquittal.
Muhyiddin Yassin
Hanipa also recalled that when he was an MP representing Amanah, Harapan had disagreed with the Sedition Act.
“We debated in Parliament opposing the obnoxious Act.
“As far as I am concerned, my guidance for opposing the Act has been Al-Quran 5:8 which reads: ‘O ye who believe! Be steadfast witnesses for Allah in equity and let not hatred of any people seduce you that ye deal not justly. Deal justly, that is nearer to your duty. Observe your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is Informed of what ye do’," he added.
Royal rebuke
Muhyiddin had ruffled the feathers of the Pahang royal household during a recent speech in which he recounted what transpired after the last general election when he claimed to have the numbers to form the government.
Subsequently, Pahang Crown Prince Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah said he was irked by the Perikatan Nasional chairperson manipulating facts to claim that Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah was biased when appointing the prime minister following the 15th general election.
Hanipa also recalled that when he was an MP representing Amanah, Harapan had disagreed with the Sedition Act.
“We debated in Parliament opposing the obnoxious Act.
“As far as I am concerned, my guidance for opposing the Act has been Al-Quran 5:8 which reads: ‘O ye who believe! Be steadfast witnesses for Allah in equity and let not hatred of any people seduce you that ye deal not justly. Deal justly, that is nearer to your duty. Observe your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is Informed of what ye do’," he added.
Royal rebuke
Muhyiddin had ruffled the feathers of the Pahang royal household during a recent speech in which he recounted what transpired after the last general election when he claimed to have the numbers to form the government.
Subsequently, Pahang Crown Prince Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah said he was irked by the Perikatan Nasional chairperson manipulating facts to claim that Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah was biased when appointing the prime minister following the 15th general election.
Pahang Crown Prince Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah
Tengku Hassanal’s father, Sultan Abdullah, was the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at the time.
In a hard-hitting statement, the crown prince also urged the police to investigate Muhyiddin over his “slanderous and inflammatory” remarks which touched on 3R - race, royalty and religion - issues.
Muhyiddin has since defended his speech but denied that he had intended to insult the Agong.
Tengku Hassanal’s father, Sultan Abdullah, was the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at the time.
In a hard-hitting statement, the crown prince also urged the police to investigate Muhyiddin over his “slanderous and inflammatory” remarks which touched on 3R - race, royalty and religion - issues.
Muhyiddin has since defended his speech but denied that he had intended to insult the Agong.
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