Be careful what you say now, Anwar tells Sanusi in row over Kedah rare earths theft

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 5 — As the authorities investigate the alleged theft of rare earths elements (REE) by foreigners in Kedah, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has advised Perikatan Nasional (PN) election chief Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Noor not involve the royal institution if the latter does not want to be hauled to court on sedition charges again.

Anwar reminded Sanusi of the sedition court charges because of his remark against the Selangor Sultan, adding that the latter should watch his words and not to mock the audience given by Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah of Kedah with an Indonesian tycoon who was applying to mine REE in Sik.

“You have already had a case with the Sultan of Selangor, don't let it happen again with the Sultan of Kedah this time.

“It's easy to make such a claim, I have not met the Sultan of Kedah once (but) many times here (Kedah) and in Kuala Lumpur....plus I am the prime minister.

“This is my job so that there is a good relationship between the people and me as a leader and also with the institution of the Malay Rulers and this relationship must be good... but this is not the case here, even meeting the Ruler is now a problem?” Anwar was quoted by Malay daily Berita Harian as saying in a speech during an event in Jitra, Kedah last night.

The Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman was responding to Sanusi’s remarks to Anwar’s previous explanation when linked to a foreign tycoon over the REE theft debacle.

Anwar previously said the tycoon was Indonesian Reza Chalid, disclosing that the Kedah Sultan had granted both of them an audience for the purpose of applying to mine REE.

“Yes I have met the Sultan of Kedah. What is the problem now? There was talk (relating to) business...I don’t do business, but if someone else wants to do business, by all means go ahead.

“However, in this matter, the meeting is only to meet the Sultan,” Anwar was quoted as saying.

Last month, Sanusi who is also the caretaker Kedah menteri besar, was charged under Section 4(1)(A) of the Sedition Act for statements made on July 11 that insulted the Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah during a speech in Gombak.