Why so quick to nab senior citizen who criticised Kedah MB? - Ramasamy
Penang Deputy Chief Minister P Ramasamy has demanded to know why a senior citizen was swiftly arrested following a viral video in which he criticised Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor for joking about where to place Covid-19 bodies.
He said the move raised questions on police conduct after they arrested and released on bail a senior citizen for calling Sanusi names.
"In a short video that was circulated, the 61-year-old man from Lenggeng, Negeri Sembilan was arrested for his remarks calling Sanusi 'stupid'.
"This arose from the fact that a few days earlier, Sanusi, when asked by a reporter whether there were enough places for those who died from Covid-19, remarked that containers could be used as a morgue," Ramasamy (above) said in a statement today.
"On the basis of the report lodged by Sanusi’s special officer, the police swung into action to trace the video clip of the senior citizen, arrested him and brought him over to Kedah.
"I don’t think that the police have done their work so efficiently on other pressing matters," added Ramasamy, who has often crossed swords with Sanusi in the past.
He said that even though Sanusi apologised for the “inappropriate” joke, there were many who used social media to berate the MB for making such an inappropriate statement, especially when many Malaysians have lost loved ones to the virus.
"While there were hundreds if not thousands who railed against Sanusi for his offensive and insensitive remark, why did his special officer focus on this particular senior citizen?
"Why was the remark regarded as super sensitive by the police when Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has been repeatedly called all kinds of names?" Ramasamy asked.
Yesterday, Kuala Muda district police chief Adzli Abu Shah said police tracked down the man and raided his home.
"The man was remanded and released on police bail after his statement was recorded," he added.
Adzli said the video incident is being investigated under Section 504 of the Penal Code, Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Section 504 is related to intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace which carries a punishment of up to two years imprisonment or a fine or both.
Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 concerns insulting behaviour which carries a fine of up to RM100.
Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1988 concerns the misuse of network facilities which is punishable with a fine of up to RM50,000 or up to a year imprisonment or both.
Ramasamy called on the police to explain why the video against Sanusi received such attention whereas many other serious cases were not accorded the same weight despite police reports.
The PAS leader is no stranger to controversies.
Last month, Sanusi was fined for going on a test drive during the Covid-19 lockdown.
In March, he threatened to turn Penang's water supply "muddy" if the state did contribute to water treatment in Kedah.
In December last year, Sanusi came under fire for using racial stereotypes to hit back at Indian leaders for criticising his handling of the demolition of Hindu temples.
The MB had accused his critics of being "drunk on the toddy of populism".
