Opinion: Can PAS protesters disrespect Royalty by gathering outside Selayang court?

Should PAS deploy a massive protest crowd, and is this not disrespecting the Sultan of Selangor? Columnist JD Lovrenciear questioned in a statement.

The gathering outside the Selayang Sessions Court was at a case where Sanusi Nor pleaded not guilty in the sessions court this morning. He was charged for making a statement alleged to be seditious against Selangor’s Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.

The caretaker, Kedah menteri besar was charged under Section 4(1)(a) of the Sedition Act 1948, which provides for a fine of up to RM5,000 or imprisonment for up to three years, or both, upon conviction.

“A show of support for Sanusi is an affront on our Rulers. Nothing less. Media reports and concerned citizens' sharing on social media clearly indicate that Sanusi and his political supporters appear to be teasing, taunting and testing our respect, honour and pride in the constitutional monarchy system. How could a political party leader who is charged with insulting the royalty be given support openly and with defiance?” Lovrenciear, a trainer and Public Relations consultant, voiced in a media statement.

He explained that the fact that scores of police and riot control measures had to be placed on standby clearly affirms that our politicians (from specific fronts) are challenging the nation's pride and honour. It further proves that there is no sincerity in regretting the gross mistake by this former and now-acting Menteri Besar.

“In the first place, do these politicians not realise that by their open show of support for an arrested and to be charged person of authority, they are further influencing citizens to disrespect our centuries-old royal presence and its system?

“As law-abiding citizens and we the media, should uphold our Constitution systems will and must not allow such despicable developments and dispositions to fester any further. The leadership of the day must plug the punctures and not delay any further, or we risk the cancer of anti-royalty sentiments spreading and seeping into our society,” Lovrenciear added.

The media recently reported on a speech by Muhammad Sanusi at a political talk in Selangor, which was said to insult the Royal Selangor institution.

A video recording of his speech went viral. In the speech, Muhammad Sanusui allegedly insulted the Sultan of Selangor when comparing his appointment as Kedah menteri besar to Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari’s appointment as Selangor menteri besar.

This resulted in various parties filing police reports against him.

On July 13, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain told a special press conference that the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) had opened an investigation paper against the director of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) elections for allegedly making the statement.

Freelance Writer M. Krishnamoorthy (www.imkrishna.net) is a media coach, associate professor and undercover journalist. He has freelanced with Bernama, NST, The Star, and Malaysiakini. He also freelances as a fixer/coordinator for CNN, BBC, German and Australian Television networks and the New York Times. As an undercover journalist, he has highlighted society's concerns going undercover as a beggar, security guard, blind man, disabled salesman and Member of Parliament.

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