An opposition politician pleads not guilty and accuses the government of stifling free speech as regional elections approach.
Malaysian prosecutors have charged an opposition leader with two counts of sedition for insulting the country’s revered sultans, according to media reports.
Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, a popular politician from the conservative Islamic party, PAS, appeared in court to face the charges on Tuesday.
He pleaded not guilty, according to Malaysia’s official Bernama news agency.
Sanusi’s remarks, made in a political speech earlier this month, questioned the decisions made by the Malaysian royalty regarding the formation of government at the federal and state levels, according to other media reports.
After his court appearance, Sanusi, who is also the chief minister of Kedah state, accused the government of stifling freedom of expression.
“It seems in Malaysia we can’t say anything,” he said.
“In Malaysia, we have a fearful government that uses the police to arrest and suppress our freedom of expression, with all public agencies being used to impede the development and welfare of the people. I am sure that with these charges, many malaysians 1689666655 realize their [government’s] real intentions,” he said.
If found guilty, Sanusi faces up to three years in prison and a maximum fine of 5,000 ringgit (about $1,100).
Malaysia’s sultans play a mainly ceremonial role, including acting as custodians of Islam in the Muslim-majority country, and are held in high esteem by the public.
Negative comments about the country’s royalty can be prosecuted under a colonial-era Sedition Act, which has been used against people who criticize the sultans on social media. But sedition charges brought against Malaysian politicians have been rare in recent years.
Neighboring Thailand has a strict lese majeste law that prohibits insults against its monarchy.
The charges against Sanusi come as political tensions rise in Malaysia ahead of regional polls next month in which the opposition alliance, which includes PAS, is expected to mount a strong challenge to the ruling coalition in Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Kedah is one of six states in Malaysia that will elect a new government on August 12.
