KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 — Caretaker Kedah menteri besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor reportedly disputed Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Razarudin Husain’s claim that the former was arrested at 3am yesterday because he could not be located.

The Perikatan Nasional (PN) election director was reported by Utusan Malaysia as saying that he had evidence in the form of WhatsApp screen captures from a conversation with a senior police officer who requested that the arrest not be made as he will appear in court as scheduled.

"I would like to correct the statement made by the IGP, with my full respect to him. His [press conference] yesterday was incorrect.

"I had communicated with Bukit Aman officers from 10pm until 12.30am. There are WhatsApp messages,” he was quoted as saying to reporters after the Kedah State Maal Hijrah Celebration Ceremony earlier today.

The arrest made no sense as he had committed to being present at court and that he had no issues in cooperating with the police given his role as the caretaker Kedah menteri besar and a good citizen, he reportedly added.

"There was no need to arrest me. Where would I run to? I’m the menteri besar,” he was quoted as saying.

In relation to that, he reportedly said that he had handed over the screen capture evidence of his conversations to a senior police officer to inform the IGP.

However, he reportedly said that he understood that the police were only carrying out their duties based on instructions received, adding that he appreciates their professionalism.

Besides that, he also reportedly claimed that the arrest was a conspiracy to portray him as a villain.

"I did not want to be arrested because I knew that the conspiracy called for me to be arrested first to create the narrative that there was an offence.

"If they were to arrest me in front of the public, they would have added enjoyment,” he was quoted as saying, without clarifying who he was speaking about.

Yesterday, the IGP justified Sanusi’s 3am arrest by saying there was a worry he may abscond from his court hearing.

Razarudin said police officers from the Kedah state contingent were unable to locate Sanusi yesterday night after they were informed of the Attorney General’s Chambers’ plan to charge Sanusi with alleged sedition.

He also said a total of 58 police reports, including a report lodged by the Selangor Council of the Royal Court, were lodged against Sanusi.

Sanusi yesterday pleaded not guilty to two counts of sedition under Section 4(1)(A) of the Sedition Act for statements made on July 11 that insulted the Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah during a speech in Gombak.

At a recent political rally, Sanusi, who is also the PN election director, allegedly disputed the Malay Ruler’s choice of Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari as the menteri besar.