The political fuse set by BN Rungkup assemblyperson Shaarani Mohamad calling for Perak’s Sultan Azlan Shah to withdraw the state titles bestowed onto two Pakatan Rakyat leaders has now caught fire with Perak Umno Youth, Perak BN Youth and NGOs making similar calls.

Former menteri besar Mohamma dap cny pasir pinji function 240210 nizar d Nizar Jamaluddin was awarded the title of ‘Datuk Seri’ after he was appointed to the position by the Perak Sultan following Pakatan’s electoral victory in the 2008 general elections.

DAP state chief Ngeh Koo Ham was also awarded a ‘Datuk-ship’ at the same time and he created history in his party by being the first DAP politician to be awarded the title.

Now both of these awards which were given to Nizar ( right ) and Ngeh are in the political cross-hairs of BN and are in possible jeopardy after Shaarani made his proposal during the state assembly sitting on Wednesday sparking an uproar by Pakatan representatives in the house.

Although Menteri Besar Zambry Abdul Kadir has shot down the idea saying that the awarding of titles was the right of the sultan and BN would not interfere in the matter, the emotional flame has begun to burn with pro-BN quarters calling for the withdrawal of the duo’s titles.

After Friday prayers today, about 40 protestors from the state Umno Youth, state BN Youth and various NGOs gathered at the Perak Umno building after which they marched to the sultan’s palace nearby to present a memorandum on the matter.

‘Insulting the palace’

State Umno Youth cum state BN Youth Secretary Syamsul Baharin Putra Ahmad Shibi said both the youth wings and the NGOs wanted the titles withdrawn because they were unhappy with the unruly behaviour of the two Pakatan leaders during the state assembly sitting.

He claimed that Pakatan did not give due recognition to the menteri besar’s post held by Zambry.

NONE When pointed out that Pakatan had accepted the Federal Court decision anointing Zambry ( second from right ) as the legitimate head of the Perak government and that their grouses were only with the BN-appointed speaker R Ganesan, Syamsul maintained his stand.

He said that since they had showed disrespect to Zambry, it was equal to not recognising Zambry as the legitimate menteri besar and he claimed that this was similar to insulting the Perak palace.

Syamsul said the NGOs and the two youth wings’ stand was that whoever insulted the palace should be stripped of their royal awards.

Earlier, Syamsul lead about 12 representatives and supporters from both the youth wings and NGOs to the palace.

They moved out from the compound of the Perak Umno building under the watchful eyes of the police and Federal Reserve Unit who were on stand-by outside the building.

Upon arrival at the palace, they presented the memorandum to a representative of the sultan. Police were also present at palace entrance.