Deputy Minister M. Kulasegaran faced public and party criticism for a brief meeting with activist Arun Dorasamy outside the Jawi Magistrate’s Court in Penang on March 17, according to reports from Malay Mail and The Star Malaysia. Kulasegaran clarified that he was not present during the court hearing and only gave legal advice to Arun prior to the session.
Four leaders from Kulasegaran’s party, DAP, publicly rebuked him for the incident, emphasizing that his presence at the court complex stirred controversy and risked blurring the lines between politics and the judiciary, as reported by Malay Mail. The party called for a cautious approach to uphold the principle of innocent until proven guilty and for the impartiality of legal proceedings.
Arun Dorasamy faces charges related to public mischief tied to a video on Instagram that called for a protest against preacher Zamri Vinoth; he has pleaded not guilty, according to Malay Mail. The deputy minister’s connection to Arun traces back to a previous legal case, which Kulasegaran cited to explain his brief interaction.
Concerns about the deputy minister’s involvement were also raised beyond DAP, with a Bersatu vice-president questioning his presence at the court, highlighting wider unease about political figures attending judicial processes, as noted by The Star Malaysia. Additionally, Johor PKR Youth criticized Kulasegaran for accompanying Arun, indicating cross-party scrutiny.
Going forward, observers will watch how DAP and the government manage this delicate separation between political figures and legal proceedings, especially as Arun’s case continues. The incident spotlights ongoing debates over maintaining judicial independence in politically sensitive cases.
Jawi Magistrate's Court
Pertubuhan Hindu Agamam Ani Malaysia
M. Kulasegaran
Arun Dorasamy
Jawi Magistrate’s Court
Zamri Vinoth
DAP
Penang
