It’s treason, says Muhyiddin
(The Star) – Umno leaders have criticised the statement by DAP national chairman Karpal Singh that Pakatan Rakyat will take legal action against the Sultan of Perak over the appointment of a Mentri Besar from the Barisan Nasional.
Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said it showed blatant disrespect to Sultan Azlan Shah and “not at all a smart move on Karpal Singh’s part.”
“Surely you can’t question the wisdom of Sultan Azlan Shah. His decision has to be respected.
“If you look at it from the point of royal customs (adat istiadat), this certainly can be seen as tainting the name of the Sultan and an act of treason,” he told reporters before attending a briefing session on Iskandar Malaysia.
Karpal Singh was quoted at a press conference on Friday that the legal action should be regarded as a reminder that the Ruler was required to act within the confines of the Perak Constitution.
Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said emotions were running high among members of the wing.
“I have advised them to remain calm but it is not easy when faced with provocation of this nature against one of our Sultans,” he said, adding that the situation could get volatile if allowed to continue.
Umno supreme council member Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said former Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin should remember that he was selected for the post based on the state Constitution and with the Sultan’s blessings.
He pointed out that Nizar’s appointment was not made based on the people’s mandate, otherwise someone from the DAP should have been given the Mentri Besar’s post.
In Putrajaya, Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique said Pakatan Rakyat should abide by the law and give up the leadership of Perak after being told do so by Sultan Azlan Shah.
“Pakatan should follow the law and vacate,” he told reporters after launching the Putrajaya-level Federal Territory Day celebrations yesterday.
