Muhyiddin Yassin, the former prime minister of Malaysia and current leader of the opposition coalition, Perikatan Nasional, was formally charged Tuesday with sedition for allegedly insulting the country’s previous monarch. This marks the first time a former prime minister has been prosecuted under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948.
The charges stem from comments Yassin made during a political campaign speech on August 15 in which he questioned why the former King, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, did not invite him to form the government following the general election in 2022. Yassin claimed that he had the support from the majority of lawmakers in Parliament.
Yassin pleaded not guilty to the charge under Section 4(1) of the Sedation Act 1948 in the Sessions Court in Gua Musang, Kelantan. The court set bail at 5,000 ringgit (approximately $1,100 USD), and the case has been adjourned until November 4. Yassin faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison, a fine, or both under Malaysia’s Sedition Act.
The monarchy in Malaysia operates on a unique rotational basis, where sultans from nine ethnic Malay states take turns serving as the nation’s King for five-year terms. The king is not a feudal ruler, but instead a constitutional monarch, which means his power can be debated, questioned or criticized by the Malaysian people. The country’s rotating monarchy commenced when Malaysia gained independence from Britain in 1957. Sultan Abdullah’s reign ended in January, and he was succeeded by Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar of Johor.
According to local media outlets, Yassin’s comments have sparked controversy, especially given the sensitive nature of public discourse regarding the monarchy. Yassin has maintained that his remarks were based on factual basis and were not intended to insult the royalty.
The charge against Yassin could impact the support of his opposing coalition, Perikatan Nasional, which includes Yassin’s party, Bersatu, and the Islamic party, PAS.
This is not the first time that Yassin has been accused court proceedings. Last year, in a separate matter, court proceedings were commenced against him for corruption and money-laundering charges. Yassin asserts these claims are politically motivated.
