GEORGE TOWN: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should step down as leader of Pakatan Rakyat for causing the opposition coalition to lose control of Perak, said DAP national chairman Karpal Singh.
Karpal did not mince words in blaming Anwar and even party supremo Lim Kit Siang and secretary-general Lim Guan Eng for causing the fall of the Pakatan state government because of their inconsistent stand on party-hopping.
In a fiery press conference, Karpal lambasted the DAP leaders for falling for Anwar's theatrics on party-hopping.
He said the inconsistent stand on party-hopping had caused disarray in Pakatan Rakyat.
The veteran politician said it was time DAP seriously reconsidered its membership in Pakatan Rakyat to show the party did not condone dishonesty of any kind, in particular treachery to the people through crossovers.
Calling on Anwar to repent, Karpal said the former deputy prime minister had created enough trouble for the country.
"I wonder if he is fit to be the leader of Pakatan Rakyat. In fact, I think Pakatan Rakyat requires another leader, a good leader.
"Not someone who believes in immorality, even accepting crossovers," he said at the press conference at his law firm here yesterday.
Karpal said he regretted that some members of Pakatan Rakyat and even from DAP had fallen to the temptation of supporting crossovers.
"Some of them have not said a word all this while and I regret that I did not get support from my own party leaders (on the crossover issue).
"Kit Siang and Guan Eng should support me instead of making statements supporting Anwar Ibrahim.
"I am the chairman of DAP and let me make it clear to the party leaders that I have the support of the rank and file."
Karpal then went on to issue a warning to his party leaders not to push him too far.
"I have been patient all this while. Don't let matters come to a head in the interests of Pakatan Rakyat and also DAP.
"In fact I had even proposed that DAP come out of Pakatan Rakyat on the issue of hudud but no one supported me, neither Kit Siang nor Guan Eng.
"It is a shame and they should also bertaubat (repent)."
Asked if he would call for an emergency party meeting to discuss DAP's future in the alliance, Karpal said he was already contemplating that.
"I have been silent for too long. I cannot fight the cause of DAP alone although I have been trying.
"What I am saying and am defending is nothing but the truth."
Karpal also slammed those who accused him of committing treason over his intention to file a suit against the Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah on the appointment of a new menteri besar for Perak.
"Those who have lodged reports against me are obviously ignorant of the law.
"I would like to make it clear to everyone that they had better not play with me.
"I have taken enough... if you want trouble then you have come to the right place," he said, adding he would not be cowed by anyone on the issue.
Karpal reiterated that he had done nothing unlawful or illegal in relation to the Sultan of Perak.
"I am just stating that the sultan is also subject to the due process of the law and he can be sued in his official capacity for dismissing the Pakatan Rakyat state government.
"It is my view that the sultan has acted ultra vires to the provisions of Article 16(6) of the constitution of Perak."
In Ipoh last night, at a Pakatan Rakyat gathering at the menteri besar's official residence, Anwar claimed that Karpal's outburst was a misunderstanding caused by the "twisting of facts by the Umno-controlled media".
He also said there was no bad blood between him and Karpal.
NST
The veteran politician said it was time DAP seriously reconsidered its membership in Pakatan Rakyat to show the party did not condone dishonesty of any kind, in particular treachery to the people through crossovers.
Calling on Anwar to repent, Karpal said the former deputy prime minister had created enough trouble for the country.
"I wonder if he is fit to be the leader of Pakatan Rakyat. In fact, I think Pakatan Rakyat requires another leader, a good leader.
"Not someone who believes in immorality, even accepting crossovers," he said at the press conference at his law firm here yesterday.
Karpal said he regretted that some members of Pakatan Rakyat and even from DAP had fallen to the temptation of supporting crossovers.
"Some of them have not said a word all this while and I regret that I did not get support from my own party leaders (on the crossover issue).
"Kit Siang and Guan Eng should support me instead of making statements supporting Anwar Ibrahim.
"I am the chairman of DAP and let me make it clear to the party leaders that I have the support of the rank and file."
Karpal then went on to issue a warning to his party leaders not to push him too far.
"I have been patient all this while. Don't let matters come to a head in the interests of Pakatan Rakyat and also DAP.
"In fact I had even proposed that DAP come out of Pakatan Rakyat on the issue of hudud but no one supported me, neither Kit Siang nor Guan Eng.
"It is a shame and they should also bertaubat (repent)."
Asked if he would call for an emergency party meeting to discuss DAP's future in the alliance, Karpal said he was already contemplating that.
"I have been silent for too long. I cannot fight the cause of DAP alone although I have been trying.
"What I am saying and am defending is nothing but the truth."
Karpal also slammed those who accused him of committing treason over his intention to file a suit against the Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah on the appointment of a new menteri besar for Perak.
"Those who have lodged reports against me are obviously ignorant of the law.
"I would like to make it clear to everyone that they had better not play with me.
"I have taken enough... if you want trouble then you have come to the right place," he said, adding he would not be cowed by anyone on the issue.
Karpal reiterated that he had done nothing unlawful or illegal in relation to the Sultan of Perak.
"I am just stating that the sultan is also subject to the due process of the law and he can be sued in his official capacity for dismissing the Pakatan Rakyat state government.
"It is my view that the sultan has acted ultra vires to the provisions of Article 16(6) of the constitution of Perak."
In Ipoh last night, at a Pakatan Rakyat gathering at the menteri besar's official residence, Anwar claimed that Karpal's outburst was a misunderstanding caused by the "twisting of facts by the Umno-controlled media".
He also said there was no bad blood between him and Karpal.
NST
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