Former Malaysian PM Muhyiddin Charged with Sedition for Allegedly Mocking Former King
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has been charged with sedition for allegedly questioning the integrity of the country's previous king, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah. Muhyiddin, who led Malaysia from 2020 to 2021, pleaded not guilty to the charge in a court in Kelantan state.
The charge sheet alleges that Muhyiddin made seditious remarks during a by-election campaign in Kelantan last month, questioning why the former king did not invite him to be prime minister following a hung Parliament in November 2022. Muhyiddin claimed he had the backing of majority lawmakers, but the king appointed Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister instead.
The Malaysian monarchy plays a largely ceremonial role, but is revered by the nation's majority Muslims. The nine ethnic Malay state rulers take turns as Malaysia's king for five-year terms under the country's rotating monarchy.
The son of the former king, Sultan Abdullah, issued a strong rebuke to Muhyiddin, saying his remarks were dangerous and could divide the people and undermine the royal institution. Human rights group Lawyers for Liberty slammed the use of the colonial-era Sedition Act against Muhyiddin, arguing that questioning or criticizing the exercise of constitutional power by the king is not seditious.
The Sedition Act, introduced by the British in 1948, criminalizes speech or actions with an undefined "seditious tendency," including that which promotes hatred against the government and monarchy or incites racial discord. Critics argue that the law is used to suppress dissenting voices and has been used to target opposition politicians and activists.
Muhyiddin has denied insulting the royalty, saying his remarks were factual and that he had handed in sworn oath of support by 115 lawmakers in the 222-member parliament.
Muhyiddin faces up to three years in prison or a fine or both if found guilty. He is also still battling corruption and money-laundering charges that he claims are politically motivated.
Muhyiddin is the second former leader charged with crimes after ex-Prime Minister Najib Razak, who received multiple charges after losing a 2018 general election. Najib began a 12-year prison term in 2022, with several more graft trials underway.
