No princes should be exempted from Sedition Act, says Aziz Bari

The authorities must investigate Tengku Temenggong Johor, Tunku Idris Sultan Ibrahim following an entry on the social media that had given an indication that Johor must be separated from Malaysia, said constitutional expert, Dr. Abdul Aziz Bari.

In an interview with Malaysiakini, Abdul Aziz said that they had suggested Johor not to be exempted from the Sedition Act 1948.

He was referring to the hasty action taken by the authorities against the quarters responsible in championing for Sabah and Sarawak to exit Malaysia campaign.

“The State as well as the authorities must make a stand that when a prince has breached the law, just as Sedition Act 1948 or similar.

“These departments are responsible in carrying out the law fairly to the rakyat. The Johor Prince doesn’t have any immunity.

“Only nine Sultans enjoy this privilege, governed under the Council of the Royal Court," he said as reported by Malaysiakini here today.

Abdul Aziz was quoted as saying that Tunku Idris had allegedly uploaded by and old agreement on his Instagram recently. Ironically, the post was deleted not too long after.

The old agreement suggested that Johor to be separated from Malaysia if the terms and conditions in the Federal Territory was violated.

Four men on February 16 were charged under Sedition Act at the Session Court in Kota Kinabalu for possessing seditious materials.

They were among the nine individuals who were arrested outside Tuaran on February 1 because they had allegedly distributing pamphlets on the Sabah Sarawak Keluar Malaysia (SSKM).

According to reports, the pamphlets had listed North Borneo territory rights. The petition aimed at getting 100,000 signatures to be sent to the United Nations in stating the territory – which is part of Sabah – and disinterested to become part of Malaysia.

Abdul Aziz also said, that the old agreement about the status of States within the Constitution is void with the existence of Federal Constitution.

“The law is the one that binds the government and the Federal Government.

“The prince may have his arguments but he must first present his case in the context of the Federal Government.