Ex Malaysian PM Faces Sedition Charges for Comments on Royal Family in the Country

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has been charged with sedition for allegedly mocking the country's previous king during a speech made on August 14, 2024.

The charges were brought against him after he questioned why then-King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah did not invite him to be prime minister following the November 2022 elections.

Muhyiddin, who led Malaysia from March 2020 until August 2021, pleaded not guilty in a court in the northeastern town of Gua Musang on August 27, 2024.

Muhyiddin's comments were made during a state election campaign rally for his conservative Perikatan Nasional alliance. He claimed that he had the necessary support from lawmakers to form a government but was overlooked in favor of Anwar Ibrahim, who was appointed as prime minister by Sultan Abdullah.

This rotational monarchy system in Malaysia sees sultans from each of the nine states take turns being the king for five-year periods. Although largely ceremonial, the monarchy is deeply respected by the ethnic Malays, who make up more than half of the population.

The former prime minister's remarks have sparked considerable controversy. Sultan Abdullah's son issued a strong rebuke, stating that Muhyiddin's comments were dangerous and could divide the people, undermining the royal institution.

Muhyiddin, however, defended his statements as factual and not intended to insult the royalty. He also mentioned that he had submitted sworn oaths of support from 115 lawmakers in the 222-member parliament.

The sedition law under which Muhyiddin has been charged dates back to British colonial rule in 1948. It criminalizes speech or actions with an undefined "seditious tendency," including those that promote hatred against the government and monarchy or incite racial discord.

If found guilty, Muhyiddin faces up to three years in prison, a fine, or both. This case marks the second time a former Malaysian leader has faced such charges, following ex-Prime Minister Najib Razak, who began a 12-year prison term in 2022 for corruption and money laundering.

Zaid Malek from Lawyers for Liberty criticized the use of the Sedition Act against Muhyiddin, arguing that questioning or criticizing the exercise of constitutional power by the king should not be considered seditious. Despite these criticisms, the case continues to unfold, highlighting the ongoing tensions within Malaysia's political landscape.