Police wrapping up probe into Sanusi’s 3R case

KUALA LUMPUR: The investigation into the 3R (royalty, religion, race) case involving Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor (pic) is almost complete, says Tan Sri Razarudin Husain.

The Inspector-General of Police said investigations into remarks made by the caretaker Kedah Mentri Besar are more than 90% complete.

“The investigation paper (IP) is being completed by the Bukit Aman CID Special Investigation Unit based on information that has been gathered.

“It includes statements from witnesses as well as a statement from him (Muhammad Sanusi).

“As soon as the IP is completed, we will refer the matter to the Attorney General’s Chambers for further action,” he said when contacted.

The IGP said the police are working hard to complete the investigation as soon as possible so that further action under the law could be taken.

“I am satisfied with the investigation process including the cooperation shown by Muhammad Sanusi, who had his statement recorded on July 14,” he said.

Razarudin also confirmed that the IPs involving PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang and DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng are also almost completed.

Muhammad Sanusi, who is Jeneri assemblyman and PAS national election director, issued his apology to Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah last Friday.

Police reports were lodged against Muhammad Sanusi for allegedly belittling the Sultan of Selangor for having appointed Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari as Mentri Besar.

Meanwhile, talk is rife that the Kedah Mentri Besar will be charged at the Selayang Sessions Court today.

Checks on the https://efs.kehakiman.gov.my/ website showed that Muhammad Sanusi’s case files have been registered at two separate Selayang Sessions Courts before judges Nor Rajiah Mat Zin and Osman Affendi Mohd Shalleh at 9am.

Efforts are under way to get confirmation from the police on the matter.

Earlier, de facto Law Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said an apology does not amount to a legal defence in law.

“Anyone who raises divisive issues, disrupts public peace and does not respect the royal institution must remember that this is a wrongdoing according to the law and cannot be resolved with an apology, as an apology is not taken as a legal defence in criminal legislation,” the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) said in a tweet on Saturday.

The government, she said, wants to stress that although freedom of expression is a constitutional right of Malaysian citizens and is enshrined under Article 10(1)(a), the same right is also subject to Article 10(2), which ensures public peace and harmony is preserved.

“As politicians or someone bestowed with power, we must realise that our words have the power to influence the public, especially during election season,” she said.

“Let the police be given the freedom to investigate those who raise 3R issues that breach the law, without interference from any party.”