Karpal Singh and Lim Kit Siang appeared chummy with each other this morning at the Federal Court, where Karpal was counsel to the Hindraf 5. — Pic by Edward Cheah
PUTRAJAYA, Feb 11 — The DAP leadership appear to have resolved their differences with each other over the Perak issue at least for the time being, ahead of the two upcoming by-elections in Kedah and Perak.
Chairman Karpal Singh and party advisor Lim Kit Siang appeared to be chummy with each other this morning during a spontaneous press conference at the Federal Court here.
Karpal, who is counsel to the five leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in Kamunting, Perak, was working to get the apex court to overturn their decision against their release.
Lim’s turn-up however was unexpected. He came in support of prominent government critic Raja Petra Kamarudin’s appeal.
The outspoken editor of online blogsite Malaysia Today is countering the Home Minister’s appeal against his release from ISA detention with his own appeal for his status quo to remain and for the Federal Court to rule that the ISA is “unconstitutional”.
Both positioned themselves close to each other as they reaffirmed their personal support, as well as their party’s commitment, for an Anti-Hopping Law to be drawn up in Parliament preventing party crossovers, leading to political instability, such as the one which caused the downfall of the Pakatan Rakyat-led state government in Perak.
“Kit Siang and I go back a long way,” Karpal said, two days after telling reporters in Penang that he was “upset” with the Lim father-and-son duo who failed to immediately back his stand to sue the Sultan of Perak.
“There’s a bigger task ahead,” he added, turning the focus on the upcoming by-elections to be called following the death of the Pas MP for Bukit Gantang in Perak, and the resignation of the PKR state assemblyman in Bukit Selambau, Kedah.
Lim agreed. “The most important task now is to see through the by-elections,” he said, adding that whatever differences in opinion the duo had would be settled within the party.
Karpal clarified that he and Lim had discussed their differences with DAP life advisor Dr Chen Man Hin last night and agreed to make peace.
However, Karpal’s mellow attitude towards Lim did not seem to extend towards his alliance compatriots in PKR, particularly against their de facto chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He maintained his stand that Anwar should take responsibility over the Perak crossover fiasco and quit his position as Opposition Leader.
He also told reporters that he would not be joining the official Pakatan legal team put together by Anwar despite being “invited” because of their difference in opinions.
“I refuse to take part in that kind of activity because I firmly believe the Sultan has to be made a party,” he explained, adding that he was determined to sue Sultan Azlan Shah for going beyond his powers in determining who held the majority confidence of the state legislative assembly in private.
“That’s what the law requires,” he stated vehemently.
“Under Article 33 (1) the state legislative assembly alone can take a decision whether a member can be disqualified or not, if any question arises, and its decision shall be final,” he argued, referring to the state constitution.
He noted that a judicial review must, by law, be filed within 40 days.
Karpal who is seeking to overturn the Sultan’s decision also criticised Perak state assembly speaker V Sivakumar for failing to immediately call a sitting of the Dewan Undangan Negeri.
Karpal also vented his anger at the slow action by the police in dispersing the unlawful gathering organised by Umno Youth outside his office in Kuala Lumpur yesterday morning.
He related that he had spoken personally to an officer in uniform, whom he identified as “Mr Chan”, and was told that the organisers had not got a permit for their protest but that he was “under instructions” not to break up the rally.
“The police should have protected me yesterday. It was an unruly assembly, not peaceful,” said Karpal, describing the mob that jeered him and denounced him for acting treasonably against the Sultan.
He condemned the police and accused them of practising “double standards” when it came to allowing certain parties to hold gatherings without permits.
He pointed out that Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua and Selangor councillor Ronnie Liu had been arrested and charged for taking part in an illegal assembly last year but no action was taken against yesterday’s mob.
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