KUALA LUMPUR, 6 Feb 2009: The Pakatan Rakyat will take legal action against the Sultan of Perak, and Barisan Nasional (BN), if the Ruler persists in appointing a new menteri besar, DAP chairperson Karpal Singh said.
The swearing-in of the new menteri besar – Datuk Dr Zambry Kadir – is scheduled for 3pm today at Istana Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar.
He said the Pakatan Rakyat had no option but to take the action because the removal of Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Nizar Jamaluddin by Sultan Azlan Shah, purportedly under Article 16(6) of the state constitution, was clearly ultra vires the provision of that article.
“In law, the decision of the Sultan of Perak can be questioned in a court of law. I call on the Sultan to cease and desist from appointing a new BN menteri besar and executive council,” he told a news conference today.
Karpal said that this action should in no way be constituted as a threat to the Sultan but was a firm reminder that the Ruler was required to act within the parameters and confines of Perak state’s constitution. — Bernama
