Fahmi: It’s about law and order

On guard: Police personnel stationed outside the Selayang Court Complex where Muhammad Sanusi was to be charged for his statement on the Selangor royal institution. — FAIHAN GHANI/ The Star

PETALING JAYA: This is not about politics but law and order, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil says on caretaker Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor’s arrest and charging under the Sedition Act.

He said Muhammad Sanusi had ignored repeated reminders and clear warnings to avoid the 3R (royalty, religion and race) issues.

“Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah during the dissolution of the state assembly already decreed not to touch the 3R issues.

“The IGP and Home Minister gave the warning, with the Prime Minister himself giving the warning not to touch the 3R,” Fahmi told The Star.

“I regret that for someone who holds such an important post, to completely ignore the many warnings, including by the Sultans. That to me is extremely regretful

“This is not political, this is about law and order. This is about respecting institutions. We must remember that while Malaysia is a parliamentary democracy, we have a constitutional monarchy, which means that their role is in the Constitution,” he added.

Fahmi said it was important to note there was a sequence of events that took place which culminated in what happened yesterday.

“There were also a number of police reports made by the public and a police report by the Selangor Royal Council.

“The most important thing to know is this has nothing to do with the government or state elections,” he said.

On renewed calls by critics to abolish the Sedition Act 1948, Fahmi said the law falls under the jurisdiction of the Law and Institutional Reforms Ministry.

However, he said the Act was rarely used since the unity government came into power.

“When we look at it over the past seven months that the unity government has been in place, if anything the Sedition Act is used extremely rarely and sparingly, only for what I will presume to be extreme cases,” he said.

“From what we’ve seen, multiple reminders and warnings were given by various law and enforcement agencies, including the monarchy,” Fahmi said.

“In this case, it is evident ... and I think the case will bear it out so I won’t say more than that,” he said.