Local councillors gathered outside Wisma Darul Aman, the state secretariat building in Alor Setar, Kedah, today to demand the resignation of state secretary Rasli Basir.

The spokesperson for the group, Kubang Pasu municipal councillor Mohd Jamal Nasir, said the group, which included village heads, had held three similar protests before this.

NONE The peaceful rally of about 200 people began with the Muslims in the group reciting the yassin prayer under the trees in front of the building.

About 20 policemen stood watch while the group chanted " Bangkit Rakyat !", " Hapus Kezaliman !" and " Turun, turun Rasli!" (Arise People, End Cruelty and Rasli Resign).

Mohd Jamal ( left ) said the councillors were serious about wanting Rasli to tender his resignation.

Rasli has ruffled the feathers of the councillors by transferring out several district council presidents, including Kubang Pasu district council president Ahmad Fisol Md Nor.

The councillors are also upset with Rasli for allegedly being "an Umno stooge" (barua Umno).

It is learnt that Rasli is currently abroad, on a working visit to Cairo.

"We are not fooling. We are serious about this. This is the fourth time we are protesting and we will continue to do so until the message sinks into Rasli," Mohd Jamal told reporters before the rally.

"Today we are protesting outside the Wisma building. Don't let it come to the stage where we have to do it at the airport, when he comes home from overseas.

"He has acted in a manner that has brought disrespect to all the local councillors. What happened in Kubang Pasu is just the tip of the iceberg," he added.

The Barisan Nasional has denounced the protests as an act of treason against the Kedah Sultan and an insult to the royal institution.

BN: PAS masterminded the protest

Kedah opposition leader Mahdzir Khalid, meanwhile, accused PAS of masterminding the protest and tarnishing the good name of the Kedah royalty, since it is the sultan who appointed the state secretary.

NONE Menteri Besar Azizan Abu Razak ( right ), when contacted, declined to comment on the row.

His press secretary, Helmi Khalid, said that Azizan has issued several comments on the matter and that there "is no need to respond this time".

When asked about Azizan's response to the issue, Mohd Jamal said that it was the Menteri Besar's right to react the way he did.

"He has the right to response in whatever manner he wants. But we know our rights, too, and we will defend it," he said.

Mohd Jamal said Rasli's conduct had brought disrepute to the state government as he did not even consult the Menteri Besar before ordering the transfers.

"He is part of the government and he must comply with the decisions of the state executive council," he said.

When asked if the councillors have met with Rasli to discuss their grievances, Mohd Jamal said that they were willing to do so if they had the opportunity.

"But he seems not to be around whenever we want to meet him".