Govt in fear, using police to silence critics, says Sanusi after claiming trial to sedition charges

Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor today said the ruling coalition was using the police to go after the opposition, saying it reflected Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's fears ahead of the six state elections next month.

"Their aim is to undermine my chances in the upcoming elections. I am confident that with this prosecution, the Malaysian people will understand their true intentions for rushing the charges against me within only three days of investigation," Sanusi said as he emerged out of the courtroom where he was slapped with two sedition charges.

He said he had only learnt of the charges to be brought against him from press reports and had then informed several parties that he would be present at the court today.

"They insisted on arresting me at 3am at the apartment I was staying in Kuala Lumpur," he said.

He said the use of the courts against him showed the absence of free speech in Malaysia.

"In the political arena, people usually resolve political issues by providing counterarguments to arguments.

"But in Malaysia today, because we have a fearful government, they use the police to arrest us or censor our speech. It seems that politicians have gone bankrupt in utilising authorities to suppress the people's anger."

He warned that the government would use every agency to stop "the people's awakening".

"I hope that in the elections to come, Perikatan Nasional wins all the six states."

Sanusi, who said the court has gagged both sides from commenting on the case today, declined to answer other questions.

But in his characteristic witty style, he obliged the media, who urged him to raise his hand, mimicking Anwar's famous photograph in 1998.