Cops Probing Hadi Shahidan For Topple Govt Remarks

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Police are investigating Abdul Hadi Awang (Perikatan Nasional-Marang) and Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau) over their remarks concerning the ousting of the federal government.
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said in a parliamentary written reply that Hadi was being probed under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code.
This law criminalises statements with the "intent to cause, or which is likely to cause" any persons to be induced into committing an offence against the state or against "public tranquillity".
Shahidan (above, right) was being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 which criminalises "uttering seditious words, or printing, publishing or importing seditious literature".
Additionally, both MPs were being investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 - a law which Pakatan Harapan pledged to repeal or amend during its 2022 election campaign.
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution IsmailSaifuddin was answering RSN Rayer (Harapan-Jelutong), who asked the government for details on its action against those trying to topple the administration and have uttered "treasonous" statements.
It is not immediately clear what specific acts Hadi and Shahidan are being investigated for.
Alleged plots
Last December, Shahidan stated that there were efforts underway to install PN as the federal government.
"We are grateful because there are signs that PN is enjoying extraordinary support... We are working hard to ensure that this cabinet doesn't last.
"God willing, we will become the government again with the people's mandate," he said during a press conference after the Padang Serai election.
However, in March this year, Shahidan denied there were plans to topple the government.
As for Hadi, he predicted in March that the collapse of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government was imminent, prompting speculation that PN was attempting to engineer defections.
Following public outcry over this remark, the PAS president defended himself and argued that it was acceptable to depose a prime minister through Parliament in a democratic country. - Mkini

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