DAP leader Lim Kit Siang has called on the Sultan of Selangor to strip Port Klang assemblyperson Zakaria Md Deros of the title of 'Datuk' in the wake of the latest incident in a series of controversies.

Yesterday, DAP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat held a protest in front of the mansion that Zakaria built without planning approval, but this was disrupted by his supporters. Two people sustained injuries during the scuffle that ensued.

On Saturday, the Sultan had advised Zakaria to resign as Klang municipal councillor after a public outcry over construction of the mansion in Kampung Idaman, Klang.

In a statement, Lim noted: "... in less than 24 hours, Zakaria again showed utter contempt for the Sultan's admonition when his rowdy supporters acted in a violent, lawless and gangsterish manner against a peaceful protest outside Istana Zakaria.

"It is clear from yesterday's incident that Zakaria has no intention whatsoever to heed Sultan Shafaruddin's advice (to resign). (The Sultan) should now remove the datuk-ship as the first step to restore the respect and dignity of royal titles which has plunged to unprecedented depths in recent years."

He also said the incident and Zakaria's refusal to "repent and seek forgiveness from Allah with a thankful heart (as advised by the Sultan)" was a triple source of shame.

"Firstly, a shame to Zakaria; secondly, to the Selangor Menteri Besar (Mohd) Khir Toyo who should have intervened to correct Zakaria and not wait until the Sultan acted; thirdly, to Prime Minister and Umno president (Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) for not taking action to check Zakaria's scandalous escapades."

He said the directive to Zakaria to resign as councillor should have come from the prime minister and Khir Toyo ( photo ), without involving the Sultan.

"... This can only reflect on the poor and weak political leadership of both the prime minister and the Selangor Menteri Besar," said Lim.

Zakaria is also in trouble for failing to pay assessment rates on his current home over the past 12 years, and on the Port Klang Umno office and Kampung Idaman Umno branch over the past decade.

Two weeks ago, he claimed he was ill in explaining why he had not obeyed the Sultan's summons to the palace.

The Star ran an expos with pictures of Zakaria holidaying at a chalet in Alor Gajah, Malacca, during the Hari Raya holidays last week.