KUALA LUMPUR – Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has been “informed” of Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor’s recent apology to the state ruler over allegedly disrespectful remarks made during a 2023 Perikatan Nasional (PN) ceramah.
Confirming the matter in a Facebook post today, the Selangor Royal Office also uploaded a copy of Sanusi’s apology letter to Sultan Sharafuddin in full.
“The letter dated September 25 included an appeal for forgiveness over (Sanusi’s) statement which has been brought to court (as) it was considered insulting and disrespectful of (Sultan Sharafuddin).
“(Sanusi) also admitted that his statement had caused (Sultan Sharafudin) discomfort and hurt the sultan’s feelings (while) expressing his regret over the negative effects caused by his statement,” stated the post’s caption.
The menteri besar’s comments, made during the PN event on July 11 last year, led to him being slapped with two counts of uttering seditious remarks that could incite disloyalty towards the sultan of Selangor and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at the Selayang sessions court about a week later.
During his speech, Sanusi had allegedly questioned Sultan Sharafuddin’s appointment of Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari as the Selangor Menteri Besar.
He had also allegedly uttered seditious remarks questioning Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s statement on the previous king’s decree on the establishment of the unity government.
Sanusi’s apology, which was detailed in a press statement issued yesterday, came just two days before the court is scheduled to convene for a case management tomorrow after his sedition trial was postponed on July 22 this year.
The postponement, granted by judge Datuk Aslam Zainuddin, came after Sanusi instructed his legal counsel to send in a second representation to the Attorney-General’s Chambers following the rejection of his initial representation in May.
Both representation letters sought for a dismissal of the two sedition charges of uttering seditious remarks against the Rulers.
Sanusi was charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948, which carries a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment, a fine of RM5,000, or both, upon conviction.
The case has since been transferred to the Shah Alam High Court. – September 26, 2024