DAP top leaders have agreed to set aside their differences over their views on Anwar Ibrahim and the likely legal suit against the Perak sultan.

This is to enable them to concentrate on the by-elections for the Bukit Gantang parliamentary seat and Bukit Selambau state seat, as and when these are called.

karpal singh and lim kit siang dap federal court 110209 01 DAP national chairperson Karpal Singh, veteran leader Lim Kit Siang and former chairperson Dr Chen Man Hin held an hour-long meeting yesterday, during which they agreed to bury the hatchet.

They agreed that giving attention to the upcoming by-elections is a more urgent priority.

Lim said that, after the forthright discussion, they have agreed that there are more important tasks ahead.

"This is to ensure Pakatan Rakyat wins the by-election in Bukit Gantang, Perak and Bukit Selambau, Kedah," he said

"We want the people of Perak and all (other) Malaysians to make it clear to Barisan Nasional that what they did in wresting power in Perak was illegal and unconstitutional. Whatever differences we have, (we have) agreed to sort out within the party and within Pakatan."

Karpal, who was next to Lim, said there is no doubt about what has been said to date.

"There are bigger tasks ahead of us including winning the two-by elections. We are looking at the tasks ahead and I pledge that we will work within the Pakatan Rakyat framework for the future of the country," he said.

"We must work together to sustain the coalition."

lim kit siang parliament pc 201008 02 Karpal and Lim were speaking to reporters outside the Federal Court at the Palace of Justice this morning, during a recess in a hearing involving five detained leaders of the now-banned Hindu Rights Action Force.

Lim said DAP's stand on party-hopping and on hudud law is clear.

"I myself presented a Private Member’s Bill in 1978 where I stated that party-hopping is immoral and unacceptable. Elected representatives should go back to the voters to get endorsement," he said.

‘Police will be held liable’

On demonstrations by Umno Youth, Karpal said he will hold the police responsible if anything happens to him and his family.

He called on the police to act against Umno Youth for holding several demonstrations condemning him for over a statement that he will file a legal suit against the sultan of Perak.

"I stand by what I said as the sultan can be taken to court in his official capacity. There are Pakatan leaders who disagree with me. This is my view and I stick to my stand,” he said.

malaysian law conference 291007 sultan azlan shah 1 "There were amendments to the constitution in 1993 when the rulers were stripped of their immunity and hence can be subjected to civil redress. I know and I think he (Perak Sultan Raja Azlan Shah, right ) knows (this as he is) a former Lord President. There is nothing treacherous about it.”

Karpal also questioned the fuss by Umno Youth and its tactics to intimidate him, saying there is no basis for their action.

"Umno Youth should stop all the illegal demonstrations. It is illegal and unlawful," he said.

A senior lawyer, Karpal claimed he had questioned a police officer named Chang, who had informed him that a permit had not been issued yesterday's demonstration but that he was under orders not to stop it.

He asked why the police had been so quick to act against Pakatan leaders like Tony Pua (Petaling Jaya Utara MP) and Selangor executive councillor Ronnie Liu for participating in an ‘illegal gathering’, without acting against the Umno demonstrators.

"That is no way for the government and police to react," he said.

Lim agreed that that the government should uphold the rule of law and the police should be independent and impartial, and act professionally in discharging their duties.

"The Home Minister (Syed Hamid Albar) and the inspector-general of police should not practise double standards and they should uphold the rule of law by also taking action against the Umno demonstrators," he said.

Karpal also issued a warning to the demonstrators.

"I warn Umno Youth, do not threaten me. I will not bow to intimidation. What I am doing is right and within the confines of the law. I must warn Umno - do not push me too far.

“The police should have protected me yesterday. The crowd was unruly and hurled abuse against me and my staff. I hold the police liable if there is any untoward incident against me and my family.”

Not in Pakatan legal team

Karpal said he is required to provide a cautioned statement to the police over his statement on the Perak sultan.

"The police are looking for me to give a statement. They have contacted me. But they can come any time. I have done nothing wrong. The police should take action against the demonstrators, not me."

nizar jamaluddin dr zambry abdul kadir perak Karpal said he will not be part of the team of Pakatan lawyers acting for Perak's Pakatan Menteri Besar Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin (right in photo) in filing a suit against Barisan Nasional Menteri Besar Zambry Abdul Kadir (left in photo) .

"I am not backing down from my view in saying a suit should be filed against the sultan. I would have filed the suit either in Perak or in Kuala Lumpur.

"Pakatan leaders think otherwise, (so) let it be. I will not be part of their team and I do not want to be part of their team.

"My views are different from (those of) the team but I stick to what I have said - that the Sultan must be taken to court. There's no other way to seek redress. That is my view.”

Karpal was also asked whether he still felt Anwar Ibrahim should step down as Pakatan leader, but he would not comment beyond saying that he maintains what he has already said.