Saifuddin Abdullah said the PAS leader should accept the reality that not all Malaysians would like him, especially since he was a politician.

“When we dive into the world of politics, we must accept the fact that we might have enemies and that a large number of Malaysians will not like us.

“In fact, sometimes, the language used can be really bad. But as politicians, we must allow the people to criticise us,” Saifuddin said at a press conference, when asked to comment on the arrests.

Nonetheless, he said, strict and uncompromising action must be taken if irresponsible individuals were found making insulting statements that touched on race, religion or the royal institution.

Four people were arrested recently for allegedly breaching the peace and abusing internet laws for making comments deemed insulting of Sanusi on Facebook.

The comments were related to a remark he made over the weekend asking reporters to sign up to be placed in shipping containers meant for the Covid-19 deceased.

Yesterday, Sungai Petani Umno chief Shahanim Mohamad Yusoff claimed that he was summoned to the police station there simply for revealing the number of Covid-19 deaths in Kuala Muda.

While lawyers have criticised the police for arresting those who had made the remarks against Sanusi, the Kedah menteri besar said the arrests were not his doing as they were based on police reports made by his officers.

He also maintained that people were free to criticise him all they wanted, but they should not cross the line with vile comments which are against the law.

“Social media should not be used to libel, disparage, find fault with people, to curse and make unfounded allegations or to use abusive language or body shame others, on the pretext of criticising leaders.

“If there is an offence committed under the law while using social media, they will have to face the music,” Sanusi said.