Insulting PM's picture equals insulting Agong, says Selangor PKR election chief

The head of Selangor Pakatan Harapan's (PH) election machinery has hit out at vandals who damaged posters bearing the image of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, saying it amounted to insulting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Mohd Yahya Mat Sahri, who is also PH's candidate in Permatang at the coming polls, was asked about several incidents in which posters of the prime minister were vandalised.

"It's the picture of the prime minister, so we should respect it," he said at a press conference in Tanjong Karang today.

He said Anwar had taken his prime ministerial oath in front of the Agong, adding that one of the pillars of the Rukun Negara is loyalty to the king.

"Meaning, if we insult the prime minister's picture, we're insulting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

"So this is important; let's not resort to that," he said, adding that those who vandalised the posters of the prime minister should repent.

Large banners bearing Anwar's image and the slogan "Malaysia Madani" had been erected in towns and cities nationwide, days before official campaigning for the Aug 12 state polls began last Saturday.

There have been several instances of the banners being vandalised, with police launching an investigation under Section 427 of the Penal Code for causing mischief.

Yahya's candidacy has also been mired in controversy due to a past conviction for cheating.

In 2016, he was sentenced to jail for two years for cheating businessman Abdul Karim Munisar over a RM50,000 donation to sponsor an event.