KUALA LUMPUR – Taking action against those slandering the royal institution is far from infringing on human rights, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
In a televised interview today, he said while he has no qualms with individuals who criticise his administration, a line must be drawn when they attempt to tarnish the royalty.
“I will not compromise (against those attacking the royal institution). Police will act firmly, (and) the attorney-general will look into the cases and bring the individuals to court for the judges to decide,” Anwar said.
“There will be no compromise if you insult (the royals). I have been patient up to now, but if it involves the Malay rulers, there are limits.”
Referring to recent news reports claiming that Putrajaya had received a proposal to build a casino in Johor’s Forest City, Anwar said those behind such allegations will face the brunt of the law, as they had alluded to the involvement of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim.
“When you touch on certain matters, such as a ruler’s involvement with a casino, you’ll be subject to the law,” the prime minister said.
“There are liberal groups who claim this is against human rights. What human rights allows you to insult someone? I find this way of thinking confusing.
“If you look at the United States, where their (president) is a human rights leader, students who protest are hauled to prison. I’m not like that. Just that when it comes to insulting the Malay rulers, there are 3R (race, religion and royalty) (laws) and limits.”
Anwar also highlighted how the Malay rulers, by consensus, requested the government be more strict in handling instances where the royal institution is made the target of slander.
“They (rulers) are attacked, but they are unable to respond… if you want to say (there should be) freedom to insult rulers, what will happen to this country?”
“There’s a lot of talk about defending Malays, and even when a party is Malay, they want to insult the Malay rulers,” he added, without naming any political party.
Anwar was on the “Soal Jawab Perdana Menteri” programme, which was hosted by Sayed Munawar Sayed Mustar of RTM, Pasha Abdul Rahim (Bernama TV), Muhammad Zulfitri Yusof (Awani), and Azaria Tagaya (TV3).
Earlier, Anwar said those who perpetuated rumours behind a royalty-linked casino in Forest City should be sent to prison, asserting that such figures have nothing better to do than spread lies.
“The Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Sultan Ibrahim) has never expressed any intention or informed me about casinos or having gambling activities there. So where did this (accusation) come from? It’s all from ‘villains’ out there. They can have my old cell in Sg Buloh (prison),” he said.
Last week, a report by news agency Bloomberg claimed Anwar had met Berjaya Corp founder Tan Sri Vincent Tan and the Genting Group’s Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay for preliminary talks on setting up a casino in Forest City to revive the RM480 billion project.
Citing unnamed sources familiar with the talks, Bloomberg also said a representative of Sultan Ibrahim, who is also Johor’s ruler, was also present, as he is a shareholder in the joint venture with Chinese firm Country Garden as Forest City’s master developer.
Anwar, Berjaya and Genting have since denied the talks, while Berjaya has also lodged a police report calling for an investigation into finding the source of the news article.
Yesterday, Bersatu information committee member Badrul Hisham Shaharin, or Chegubard, pleaded not guilty to a charge of issuing seditious statements over the alleged casino project in Forest City at the Johor Bahru sessions court.
The 45-year-old also chose to stand trial on two charges: making seditious remarks and defaming the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. – May 1, 2024