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©New Straits Times
(Used by permission)
KUALA LUMPUR: DAP chairman Karpal Singh maintained yesterday that he had not
questioned the prerogative of the Sultan of Perak.
He said his statements concerning the Sultan's power to
revoke the transfer of a state civil servant was purely a legal issue.
Karpal said he was not perturbed over the numerous police reports lodged against
him.
"I have committed no offence and those making reports against me should be
prepared to face the consequences of lodging false reports," he said at a press
conference here yesterday.
"I will not be intimidated by anyone or any quarter.
"I stand by what I have said because the truth must prevail
at all times" the Bukit Gelugor Member of Parliament said.
Karpal said he had in no way questioned the prerogative of the Sultan of Perak
as head of Islam in the state.
He reiterated that in his view the Sultan had no jurisdiction to direct the
state government to reinstate Perak Islamic Religious Department director Datuk
Jamry Sury, who was a state government servant.
He said that in Pengarah Pelajaran Wilayah Persekutuan & Others v Loot Ting Yee,
the Federal Court decided that a civil servant liable to transfer did not have a
right to be heard as a transfer does not amount to dismissal or reduction in
rank.
The principles in the decision applied equally to state civil servants, Karpal
said.
"I fail to understand why there has been such an uproar on what is purely a
legal issue backed by the Privy Council in London, which was until 1985, the
highest court in Malaysia."
He threatened legal action against those who made defamatory remarks against him
regarding the issue.
In George Town, DAP secretary-general and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng
defended Karpal, saying the party chairman was merely stating a case in law and
had done nothing wrong.
He instead accused Barisan Nasional leaders of taking a selective approach and
practising double standards.
Deputy Chief Minister I Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin of Parti Keadilan Rakyat said
he would leave it to the leadership of the DAP and PKR to address the issue.
He said the Malay members of PKR always respected the palace.
"The issue should not be politicised. It is best for the Perak government and
palace to resolve the issue," Mohammad Fairus said.
A-G should speed up probe against Karpal, says PM
by V. Vasudevan, B. Suresh Ram and Audrey Dermawan
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has called on the
authorities to expedite investigations on reports lodged against DAP chairman
Karpal Singh for allegedly questioning the powers of the Sultan of Perak.
Abdullah said though it was a matter for the
attorney-general, he hoped the investigation and decision on whatever action was
to be taken would be made soon.
"This case has created a lot of interest. I hope the attorney-general will
decide quickly on the case if it is to be brought to court," he said yesterday
when asked about the police reports lodged against Karpal.
When asked, Abdullah said the government would not use the Internal Security
Act.
At least nine police reports have been lodged calling for action against Karpal.
Police started receiving the reports on Monday with five
coming from Kuala Lumpur, and the others from Ipoh, Port Dickson, Muar and
George Town.
The latest report was lodged by representatives of the Malaysian Youth Council (MYC)
at the Sentul district police headquarters yesterday morning.
At almost the same time in George Town, another police report was lodged by the
Penang Umno Youth.
MYC secretary-general Tajudin Ahmad said it was unbecoming of Karpal, who is
also Bukit Gelugor MP, to release such a statement, which could threaten racial
stability.
"His statement not only insults the Sultan, but also the Malay Rulers
institution and the Constitution.
"He is rude and should apologise to Sultan Azlan Shah for issuing such a
statement."
Tajudin said the council would gather support among its members and the public
to voice their dissatisfaction on the matter.
Penang Umno Youth secretary Ramelam @ Ramlan Ishak said Karpal's remarks were
seditious in nature as they had incited the people not to respect the monarchy.
Karpal had held that the Sultan of Perak did not have the power to reinstate the
state Religious Department director Datuk Jamry Sury, who had earlier been
transferred by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin.
Karpal had also said in Parliament on Monday that state governments had the
right to move civil servants without consulting heads of state.
He had also said that state governments should not feel intimidated by the
Rulers as they were not answerable in matters concerning civil administration.
It was reported yesterday that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
had instructed Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor to
lodge a police report against Karpal.
The prime minister had said that Karpal's questioning of the Sultan's
prerogative as the state's head of religion had angered many, including
non-Malays.
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