Nazri: One-sided affair with sedition and royalty

(Malay Mail Online) – The Sedition Act meant a one-way street when it comes criticism and the members of the royalty, Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz said today following reports that he will be investigated under the law for telling the Johor crown prince to stay out of politics.

But despite the probe, the outspoken Umno minister told Malay Mail Online this afternoon that he stands by his remark, pointing out that it was the law’s unequal treatment of royal insult that had triggered it in the first place.

“For example, if he (Johor’s Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim) said something to (Prime Minister Datuk Seri) Najib (Razak), it is okay, but if Najib said something to him, then Najib will be liable to sedition.

“So, that’s why I said — they (royalty) cannot get involved in politics,” Nazri said when contacted.

For a more level playing field, Nazri said members of the royal family should consider stripping themselves of their positions in the royal house if they want to compete in the political arena.

“Come to our field where it is more level,” he said.

Earlier today, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar was reported confirming that the police will investigate Nazri for telling Tunku Ismail to stay out of Malaysian politics.

The investigation under the Sedition Act, according to Khalid in Malaysiakini, was prompted by police reports lodged against the senior Cabinet member who will be called in to give his statement soon.

But there are now questions over the accuracy of the report, with Nazri possibly being investigated under the Penal Code instead.

Nazri told Malay Mail Online that he will cooperate with the investigation, saying “I respect the law”, although he questioned the fairness behind the report lodged against him.

“How can it be fair when the prince and all members of royalty are protected in the Sedition Act but others aren’t?” he asked.

Nazri disagreed, however, when asked if he felt that the report against him should not have been lodged.

“Its a free country and it’s not that I don’t respect the law. I do respect it… it’s just that the present sedition law makes it not level…. so that’s why I said they (royalty) shouldn’t get involved in politics,” he said.

Across the weekend, the minister and member of the Johor royal house engaged in an indirect exchange via the media, after Nazri reportedly cautioned the prince not to take sides in an ongoing conflict between Malaysian political leaders.

The prince had made veiled remarks over the “Nothing2Hide” dialogue that would have seen Najib come face to face with chief critic Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had it not been cancelled.

“I think he should keep out of politics, otherwise he may be subjected to the same rule. We will whack him,” Nazri was reported as saying on Saturday by Malaysiakini.

“Rulers and royal families are not above the law. If he wants to be a politician, then say so. Then we can answer back,” he added.

This prompted Tunku Ismail to respond in a silent video that appeared to be a challenge for the minister to “bring it”.

Dr Mahathir yesterday also expressed support for the prince’s right to express his own opinions on local politics, saying the Johor royal was entitled to freedom of speech.