SHAH ALAM: Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor wants the Attorney-General's Chamber (A-GC) to withdraw his two sedition charges after Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah consented to accepting his apologies for his remarks that could incite disloyalty towards rulers.
Sanusi's lawyer Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud today informed High Court judge Datuk Aslam Zainuddin that his client had written to Sultan Sharafuddin to apologise and seek forgiveness for his actions.
"I was told that there is an answer from the Sultan of Selangor.
"Therefore, referring to the charges linked to Sultan of Selangor, I ask for them to be withdrawn. That was the instructions I received from my client.
"So I hope the prosecution will accept and acknowledge that the Sultan of Selangor had consented to accepting my client's apology," he said during case management proceedings today.
To this, Datuk Seri Salehuddin Saidin, who held a watching brief on behalf of Sultan of Selangor and Selangor Council of the Royal Court, confirmed that there is a written reply from His Majesty who consented to forgiving Sanusi.
However, deputy public prosecutor Abdul Malik Ayob told the court that the A-GC was still considering Sanusi's second representation and has asked for a date a month from today to be set to hear the development of both charges.
Aslam then set Oct 25 to hear the decision from the A-GC on both charge against Sanusi, whose attendance will be required on that day.
Today was set to hear the decision of Sanusi's second representation which sought the dismissal of the two sedition charges of uttering seditious remarks against the Sultan of Selangor and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong last year.
His first representation was rejected by the A-C in May.
Sanusi issued a public apology to Sultan Sharafuddin over his remarks during the state election campaign in July last year.
Sanusi, during a Perikatan Nasional (PN) ceramah in Selayang, was reported to have belittled the appointment of Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shaari by the Sultan of Selangor.
Sanusi gave his word that he would be more careful in making any statement in future and to ensure that his speech is in line with the Malay customs, which are highly respectful of the Malay rulers and the royal institution.
Sultan Sharafuddin said he consented to accepting Sanusi's apology in the name of unity among the Muslims and Malays.
His Majesty advised Sanusi to be mindful of his words and etiquette, avoid being overly emotional and not use inappropriate language when addressing the public, particularly in Selangor.
The ruler said he does not want the people, especially those in Selangor, to be influenced and accustomed to hearing harsh words and baseless accusations, especially from leaders.
On July 18 last year, Sanusi pleaded not guilty at the Selayang Sessions Court to two counts of uttering seditious remarks that could incite disloyalty towards the rulers.
He allegedly uttered seditious and insulting remarks about Sultan Sharafuddin near Taman Selayang Mutiara at 11pm on July 11.
Sanusi was also charged with the same offence when he allegedly uttered seditious remarks questioning Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's statement on the king's decree on the establishment of the unity government.
On July 22 this year, the Shah Alam High Court postponed the trial pending the decision of Sanusi's second representation to the A-GC.