The Royal Malaysia Police refuted claims that their investigation into Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin over alleged sedition was conducted in haste. The clarification came after Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, Bersatu's deputy president, criticized the police for allegedly rushing the investigation.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Razarudin Husain addressed the issue, explaining that the police had previously committed to completing any investigation within a seven-day timeframe. He emphasized that this timeline was not an indication of a hurried process, but rather a measure of efficiency. The decision on whether to charge an individual in court, he noted, rests with the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC).
Razarudin elaborated, stating, "We previously mentioned that we would demonstrate our performance within seven days. This has nothing to do with being hasty. If we were to investigate today and charge tomorrow, that might be considered hasty. However, within those seven days, the investigation might be completed in four days, and the AGC might take one or two days, or just 24 hours, to record statements and issue a directive to charge."
He further added that the police are careful not to be too slow or too fast in their investigations. "If we’re slow, people will say we’re sluggish. When we’re fast, they say we’re hasty," he remarked, emphasizing that the police are working within a balanced and reasonable timeframe.
The controversy arose after Muhyiddin Yassin pleaded not guilty to a sedition charge in the Sessions Court in Gua Musang. The charge was related to a remark he made during the Nenggiri by-election campaign. Muhyiddin is facing prosecution under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948, a law that prescribes penalties including a fine of up to RM5,000, imprisonment for up to three years, or both for those found guilty of sedition.
Faizal had accused both the police and the AGC of rushing to prosecute Muhyiddin without sufficient deliberation. His comments came in response to the swift investigation and subsequent charge against Muhyiddin, who has been a prominent figure in Malaysian politics and a former Prime Minister.
The sedition charge against Muhyiddin follows accusations that he had insulted the previous Yang di-Pertuan Agong. This led to 29 police reports being filed against him. The rapid sequence of events from the filing of these reports to the initiation of legal proceedings has sparked debate and concern within political circles, with some alleging that the legal process is being expedited unfairly.
Despite the criticism, the police have maintained that they are adhering to established protocols and timelines in their investigation and that the AGC's involvement ensures that the legal process is being handled appropriately. As the case proceeds, the scrutiny on both the police and the AGC continues, with all eyes on how the investigation and trial will unfold.
This latest development adds another layer of complexity to the already charged political atmosphere in Malaysia, where the use of the Sedition Act has frequently been a point of contention. As the legal proceedings against Muhyiddin continue, the broader implications for political discourse and freedom of expression in the country remain a significant concern.
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