DAP chairperson Karpal Singh has been called up by the police for a ‘meeting’ in relation to his recent statements against Perak ruler Sultan Azlan Shah.

The police invitation came after the 37 police reports lodged against him by various parties for showing disrespect to the sultan, said his son Ram Karpal Singh when contacted.

The reports followed Karpal's announcement that he would file a suit against the sultan for dismissing the Pakatan Rakyat government in Perak earlier this month.

"The police from Dang Wangi called him yesterday, asking him to give statements against the police reports," said Ram.

Ram, also a lawyer, said his father would cooperate with the police.

However, asked whether Karpal would pursue legal action against the sultan, Ram said: “The situation is uncertain. A panel of lawyers will be discussing the possibilities (of the legal action). It has not been finalised and we are still not sure about it yet."

umno youth demonstration against karpal singh 100209 11 At a press conference in his office this morning, Karpal said he is willing to appear in court to face any charges.

“I would not mind going if it pertains the law...I am a lawyer, not a gangster,” he said, adding that the ‘meeting’ with the police will be fixed at an appropriate time.

“(But now) I have better work to do than to give a statement to the police against the reports because I know these reports have no basis.”

In a related development, a group of 100 people demonstrated opposite Karpal's legal firm in Jalan Pudu Lama in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

The group, comprising members of the Serdang and Bukit Bintang Umno Youth divisions, marched from Menara Maybank to Karpal's office about 10am.

The group then negotiated with the police - who were present to monitor the protest - for time to submit a memorandum to Karpal.

However Karpal did not come out to accept the memorandum. The group then placed the document on the doorstep of his office and dispersed.

umno youth demonstration against karpal singh 100209 08 "We demand that Karpal retracts the (threat to file) the lawsuit. If he refuses, we will protest every day," said Serdang division chief Ungku Md Salleh.

On Sunday, Karpal had warned those who have lodged reports against him to be aware that they would be lodging false reports. He said that he knows the legality of filing a suit against the sultan.

Commenting today on the demonstration, Karpal appeared ticked off that the protesters did not have a permit.

“The police should have stopped the demonstration in the first place as it was illegal. If they wanted to send a memorandum, they could always come here,” he said animatedly.

“There is no need for an illegal demonstration. If you come here (without demonstrating), I’d welcome the memorandum. I’m not going to be intimidated by Umno Youth. Who is this Umno Youth? What is this creature?”

Despite many calls from Umno and Malay NGOs to retract his statement against the sultan, an unrepentant Karpal said he would never apologise.

“No point in apologising to the sultan because what I said is correct. The sultan can be taken to court,” he stressed.

He further said he is not a coward and that people should “not threaten him” to retract his statements.

“I’ve been in DAP since the 1970s. I’ve been a lawyer for the last 40 years. I know the law,” he said.

‘Anwar should resign’

Karpal also stuck to his stance that PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim should resign as Opposition Leader for endorsing party-hopping.

He is, however, prepared to meet Anwar to discuss the issues including earlier statements against the coalition leadership and the political crisis in Perak.

“(Wanting Anwar to resign) is still my stance, full stop. But I will see him to discuss those issues,” said Karpal.

anwar kuala terenganu by election 070109 02 Even though Anwar had played a major role in general election last March, “party-hopping still cannot be accepted”.

However, he seemed to have softened his stance on DAP’s status in Pakatan, saying that his party will stay within the coalition and support it in the upcoming by-elections in Bukit Gantang , Perak and Bukit Selambau , Kedah.

This was contrary to what he had said last month when he warned that DAP would leave the alliance if PAS continued with its Islamic state and hudud l aw policies.

“We may have our own differences, but we are united when it comes to any challenge faced. This is a challenge in Bukit Selambau and Bukit Gantang,” he said of the political status quo.