KUALA LUMPUR – While police should be commended for acting swiftly on Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, the Umno Youth chief should not be charged with sedition, said former law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim.
The lawyer on X (formerly Twitter) pointed out that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had previously said the government would only use the Sedition Act 1948 on matters related to royalty.
“From the news currently circulating, (Akmal) is being questioned by the police for possible sedition charges. If that is so, then it’s a good move by the police.
“But, please do not charge him for sedition. The prime minister had earlier (in 2023) announced that the govt would only use sedition for offences against the Rulers.
“Let’s stick to that as we have to take the words of the (prime minister) seriously.”
Zaid, who was Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in 2008, said there were other laws that could be used on Akmal such as Sections 298(A), 503, 504, and 505 of the Penal Code.
He also reminded Anwar’s government to keep its promise, made by his Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, to repeal the Sedition Act.
Not using the act against Akmal, who is Merlimau assemblyman, would also allow the unity government to “look better and somewhat progressive”, Zaid added.
“By not charging Akmal under (the) Sedition (Act), you also do not elevate him as a freedom fighter”.
Yesterday, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain confirmed that Akmal is being probed for sedition and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
He added that the Melaka exco member was detained by police in Kota Kinabalu following two reports against him related to the sale of socks bearing the word “Allah” in a KK Mart outlet last month.
Akmal also posted on Facebook about his detention in the Sabah capital yesterday, where he was called in twice for questioning in the span of one day.
On March 26, KK Mart founder and executive chairman Datuk Seri Dr Chai Kee Kan and his wife Datin Seri Loh Siew Mui were charged in the Shah Alam sessions court for intentionally hurting the religious sentiments of Muslims.
Three directors from KK Mart supplier Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd were also charged with abetting the duo in the socks’ distribution. KK Mart has sued its supplier for alleged sabotage.
Chai was summoned for an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim on April 3, where he issued an apology to His Majesty and to all Muslims over the sale of the offending socks.
He had also apologised to the public earlier in a press conference after a photo of one pair of offending socks first surfaced on social media on March 13. – April 6, 2024