Former Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin arrived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to attend a prayer ceremony on March 9, 2023.
Matt Zine | Noor Photos | Getty Images
Malaysian opposition leader and former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has been charged with sedition for allegedly insulting the country’s former king, his lawyer said on Tuesday.
Muhyiddin, who led Malaysia for 17 months between 2020 and 2021, was charged in a court in the northeastern state of Kelantan with inciting rebellion over comments he made in a political speech this month. His lawyer said he has pleaded not guilty.
Malaysia has a unique form of monarchy in which the country’s nine sultans rotate as king every five years. The monarchy plays a primarily ceremonial role and is deeply respected.
Negative comments about the royal family can lead to prosecution under the colonial-era Sedition Act.
Malaysia’s 2022 general election has resulted in a hung parliament, with Muhyiddin allegedly questioning the credibility of former King Abdullah Ahmed Shah in a political speech on August 15, according to local media reports.
Muhyiddin reportedly said in his speech that he had received the support of enough MPs to form a government after the election, but questioned why Sultan Abdullah had not invited him to be sworn in as the country’s prime minister.
Sultan Abdullah appointed Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister in November 2022.
Sultan Abdullah has not commented publicly on Muhyiddin’s reported remarks and his office could not immediately be reached for comment.
Muhyiddin, who leads Malaysia’s Malay-centric conservative opposition bloc, faces up to three years in prison and a fine of up to 5,000 ringgit ($1,148) if found guilty, his lawyer said.
He was also accused of corruption and money laundering in a separate case brought against him last year – charges he believes are politically motivated.
Anwar’s government denies targeting political opponents, saying the charges are part of an effort to address high-level corruption.
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