SHAH ALAM: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Datuk Zaid Ibrahim should be investigated under the Sedition Act for allegedly making rude remarks against the Sultan of Selangor, Tan Sri Noh Omar said today.
The Selangor Umno Liaison Committee chairman said the duo - a former prime minister and a DAP member - should also issue a public apology to the state ruler, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
He said this at the 'Menjunjung Kasih Dan Daulat Tuanku' gathering held at Dataran Mayang, Section 16 today, to show support for the Sultan and protest against United States’ recognition of Jerusalem as the capital for Israel.
More than 5,000 people participated in the event organised by Selangor Youth Council.
Noh, who is also the Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister, said the peaceful gathering was to show solidarity and demonstrate their undivided support and loyalty to the Sultan.
“The Sultan is not only the state ruler, but also the head of (Islamic) religion. He has also been fair to everyone. Why drag His Royal Highness into politics?
“This gathering is to also warn any parties, including DAP, which uses its Malay members, from disrupting the royal institution of the country.
“The Malays in the opposition party have become 'kuda tunggangan' (puppets). They cause the uproar while DAP just sits back and watch from afar.
“If DAP is really not involved, they should be brave to take action against Zaid and ostracise Dr Mahathir. Why are they still working together?”
Noh hoped stern action would be taken against the former prime minister and Zaid, adding that the declaration of support to the state ruler will be submitted to the Istana Bukit Kayangan on Tuesday.
The declaration, he said, details four points.
“That Zaid and Dr Mahathir should openly apologise to the Sultan, the Selangor state government should disallow the duo from giving speeches in the state.
“That the police should not issue any permit to allow both of them to speak at any gatherings or political stage in the state.
“And finally, the police should investigate and take action against the duo.”
Noh added that another objective of the gathering was to express objection against US’ recent move in recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
“Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had postponed his meeting with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to attend a special meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Turkey next week, to discuss the US' move.
“We fully support the PM on this and strongly object to the US’ move,” he added.
People from all walks of life as well as leaders and members of Barisan Nasional component parties including Selangor Umno, MCA and MIC also took part in the event.
Red T-shirts and bandanas with the word "Daulat Tuanku" and Selangor flags were distributed at the venue.
Placards with the words "Solidariti rakyat Selangor", "Solidarity for Palestine", "Zaid Ibrahim biadap. Hina Sultan Selangor" and "Tun Mahathir tutup mulut”, were spotted being carried by the demonstrators.
On Dec 4, Zaid, a DAP member had tweeted: “When some Rulers play politics they must know the consequences. Don’t think there is no price for partisanship” and “Sultan Selangor should be careful with his words. No one is immune when country burns”.
Zaid included a link to a news article in his post in which the sultan was quoted as saying that Dr Mahathir, who is also Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairman “will burn the whole country with his anger”.
The Sultan had said this in an interview with an English daily when asked on Dr Mahathir’s remarks against the Bugis community, in which the former premier had allegedly compared them to pirates in his speech at the 'Love Malaysia, Anti Kleptocracy' rally on Oct 14.
In an interview with Utusan Malaysia, the Sultan responded by saying that ex-minister Zaid, who was born in Kota Baru, can go back to Kelantan if he was upset with the remarks made against Dr Mahathir.
The ruler also called on Zaid to read his statement carefully and to get the facts right before speaking.