Charges on politicians for 3R remarks serve as a warning, but will it deter others?

SHAH ALAM - The discussion of 3R issues (religion, royalty, and race) tends to resonate with the public more easily compared to policy matters

According to Associate Professor Dr Syaza Shukri from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), the recent charges against politicians for seditious remarks about the 3R issues serve as a warning, but she remains uncertain if it will effectively deter politicians from crossing the line.

"Kedah Caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Noor has been charged, but other politicians who have made similar remarks about the 3R issues have not been charged.

"This sends a message that the monarchy as an institution is powerful in comparison to issues of race and religion," Syaza said.

She questions whether there will be a shift away from utilising the 3R issues for political mobilisation, given that Malaysian politics heavily relies on sentiment and these issues are the easiest to rally people around.

"They may tone down their rhetoric, but I believe there will be a response from some quarters to question the current government.

"They would continue to raise the 3R issues, and if action was taken, they would accuse the current government of being dictatorial. We're essentially playing right into their hands," she said.

Meanwhile, senior fellow from the Malaysian Professors Council, Professor Datuk Abdul Halim Sidek, opined that the charges filed against these politicians are based on three major laws: the Sedition Act, the Penal Code, and the Multimedia and Communication Acts, which have long been in effect in Malaysia.

"All sensitive 3R problems are clearly stated in these laws. Unlike ordinary citizens, politicians have often evaded prosecution in court.

"The Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain previously stated that a Federal Police Special Investigation Unit is investigating these politicians.

"When these individuals are prosecuted, the public will feel vindicated because justice is being served to all, not just selectively.

"It is intended that as a result of their positions in the community, everyone will be more law-abiding and less arrogant," Halim added.

In a related matter, Professor Datuk Shamsul Amri Baharuddin from the Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA) points out that proving issues related to race and religion can be more challenging, leading to continued avoidance of these subjects through various means.

"Because the nature and reality of party politics is based on identity (race and religion), it will continue to be essential to Malaysian political discourse.

"Politicians will now avoid discussing royalty, but they will continue to discuss race and religion, possibly more sensibly," he said.