KUALA LUMPUR – Opposition leader Muhyiddin Yassin pleaded not guilty to a sedition charge on August 27, following remarks made in Kelantan earlier in the month regarding his exclusion from forming the government after Malaysia’s 2022 General Election.
The Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia president made the controversial remarks on August 14 during his campaign for the Nenggiri by-election, where his Perikatan Nasional (PN) alliance ultimately lost to Umno, a key member of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s multi-coalition government. Muhyiddin alleged that, despite securing the majority support of MPs with 115 signed declarations, he was not invited by the King, Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah, to form the government.
The remarks, which have been interpreted as potentially insulting to the royalty, led to numerous police reports and criticisms from the state’s palace, as well as accusations of sedition. Muhyiddin appeared in court in Gua Musang on August 27 to enter his plea. The prosecution initially requested a RM20,000 bail and a gag order to prevent Muhyiddin from repeating his claims, but the court set bail at RM5,000 and declined to issue the gag order. The case is scheduled to be mentioned again on November 4.
Amid the controversy, Muhyiddin stated on August 21 that he had provided the police with evidence of the majority backing he claimed to have received from MPs after the hung Parliament emerged from the 2022 elections. Should the sedition trial proceed, this evidence could potentially be presented in court, reigniting discussions around the legitimacy of Prime Minister Anwar’s government.
Political observers note that the trial could expose fractures within the “unity government” led by Anwar. The administration currently holds a two-thirds supermajority, but Muhyiddin’s insistence on shaky support outside of Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition could stir doubts about the stability of the government. According to political analysts, Muhyiddin’s strategy may be aimed at undermining Anwar’s position, despite PN’s inability to challenge the government’s overwhelming numbers in Parliament.
The case adds to Muhyiddin’s legal troubles, as he already faces graft charges that could jeopardize his future as a lawmaker. A guilty verdict in the sedition case could lead to his disqualification from his parliamentary seat, raising questions about the leadership of PN.
As of now, the government holds 153 seats against the opposition’s 69 in Parliament, bolstered by recent defections from Muhyiddin’s party. These defections have been controversial, as they appear to undermine reforms aimed at equal constituency allocations and preventing party hopping. Nonetheless, the sedition trial against Muhyiddin could further strain the political landscape in Malaysia.