Pakatan Rakyat leader Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin today said it was up to DAP chairperson Karpal Singh whether to pursue or not his intention to take legal action against the Sultan of Perak.

"I don't know about it and it is up to him," he told reporters at a Thaipusam celebration in Ipoh today.

two perak mb in thaipusam event 080209 10 Mohd Nizar said this in response to Karpal's statement on Friday that he would file a case against the sultan for not dissolving the Perak state assembly and allowing the Barisan Nasional to form the new state government, on grounds that it was unconstitutional.

Karpal is expected to file the suit at the Ipoh High Court on Tuesday.

In his speech, Mohd Nizar called on Pakatan supporters to be calm and not to take drastic action which could affect harmony in the state.

Mohd Nizar has also that he would be filing a suit over the appointment of a BN menteri besar while he was still sitting in the office. Likewise Pakatan too will be looking into the legality of the new appointment.

Following Karpal's announcement to file a suit against the sultan, the veteran lawyer has come under severe attacks from many quarters for being disloyal to the sultan.

Several police reports were also lodged against him for challenging the powers of the sultan.

Nothing unlawful or illegal

Karpal responded to his detractors by stating that he was only acting according to the law of the land.

karpal file appeal in shah alam court 241208 4.jpg "There is nothing unlawful or illegal in what I have stated in relation to the sultan being subject to the due process of law and that he can be sued in court since he acted in his official capacity in dismissing the Pakatan government," he said in a statement today.

"It has been my view, and I reiterate that view, with all the force at my command, that the sultan has acted ultra vires with the provisions of the state constitution," he added.

He also warned those who had lodged reports against him to be mindful of the consequences of lodging false reports.

The Bar Council also issued a statement to condemn those who have slammed Karpal Singh.

"It is the fundamental right of any person to take any matter to the courts for determination and resolution.

"We regret to note that there are certain groups who are challenging. among others, Karpal Singh's intention to file a suit in respect of the matter," said Bar Council chairperson Ambiga Sreenavasan.

No to political exigencies

Ambiga added that litigants and their lawyers must be free from harassment and any form of intimidation in the exercise of the right to seek redress in a court of law.

She said that lawyers must be allowed to advance their client's case without fear or favour.

"It is then up to the courts to resolve the various issues, which they must do independently and without regards to political exigencies.

"Decisions made with regard to political factors never stand the test of time," she said.

"We strongly urge that all parties respect this fundamental right to seek redress in our courts. We must never regress to a position where we sacrifice this vital principle for political mileage or self-interest," she added.