ALOR SETAR – Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has issued an apology to the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, for remarks allegedly made against the Sultan during a Perikatan Nasional (PN) ceramah in July last year.
The menteri besar’s comments, made during the PN event, led to him facing two charges of making seditious statements at the Selayang Sessions Court last year.
Sanusi allegedly questioned the appointment of Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari as the Selangor Menteri Besar by Sultan Sharafuddin during the campaign event.
“I, Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, hereby would like to seek an apology from Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah for a statement that I made on July 11, 2023, at Taman Selayang Mutiara in Gombak, Selangor, for which I was charged in court, and which has been considered as insulting and disrespectful to Your Highness,” Sanusi said in a statement issued today.
“I have realized that my words have offended the feelings of Your Highness and I deeply regret that the negative effects that ensued from my statement.
“I have (also) realised that I should have never made comments that are improper, insulting and impolite as what Your Highness said, when I am at other state, especially in Selangor, where my case is based at.
“This is despite the fact that the speech was made during the heat of an election campaign.
“Therefore, with feelings of regret and humility, I would like to request a thousand apologies to Your Highness Sultan Selangor, Selangor Menteri Besar and the people of Selangor.
“I promise to be more careful in making statements in near future and would ensure that every single speech that I make are in line with the Malay’s customs that place high regards of the Malay rulers and the monarchy institution.”
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.
However, he pleaded not guilty to the charges. The case was later transferred to the Shah Alam High Court on February 1.
On July 22, it was reported that a hearing in the sedition case was postponed following a request by Sanusi’s counsel, Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud. The request was granted by Judge Datuk Aslam Zainuddin.
The lawyer informed the court that a second representation had been submitted to the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) seeking to drop the charges against Sanusi a week earlier. – September 25, 2024
