DAP national chairperson Karpal Singh today said the call to banish him from the state of Perak apart from being mischievous has no legal basis.

The renowned lawyer said under the Banishment Act 1959, he cannot be banished from any state in the Federation of Malaysia.

umno youth demonstration against karpal singh 100209 10 "It is elementary that the government cannot revoke a citizenship of a person who is a citizen by operation of law. I am a citizen by operation of law on the ground that I was born in Penang.

"The government can only revoke the citizenship of a person who has acquired citizenship by naturalisation," he added in a statement.

Karpal was responding to the Kedah Royal Household Association's call on Perak ruler Sultan Azlan Shah to ban Karpal from entering the state.

Its president Tengku Zainol Rashid Tengku Yahya said such a ban would be appropriate for insulting the Perak ruler.

Karpal had threatened to sue Sultan Azlan Shah for consenting to the appointment of a new Perak menteri besar.

The association as well as the Malay Unity Action Front (BBPM) also urged the Malay rulers to hold a special meeting to discuss the type of action which should be taken against the politician.

'They should have sought legal advice'

However, Karpal said: "I fail to understand those baying for my blood cannot understand the basic principles of law I have referred to."

"The association should have sought legal advice before making the call," he added.

Karpal also recounted that he had started his legal career in Kedah’s capital Alor Star way back in 1969 and served as the assemblyperson for Alor Star Bandar in 1974 to 1978.

"I know the Sultan of Kedah is a highly respected ruler, a gentleman and a ruler who commands the respect of all Malaysians.

"I have no doubt in my mind that the call that I be banished from the state of Perak does not have the blessing of the Sultan of Kedah," he said.

Meanwhile, the Bukit Gelugor MP also stressed that he would not abdicate from his duties as a parliamentarian.

"I firmly stand by my opinion that the Sultan of Perak can be sued in court in his official capacity for having dismissed the Pakatan state government. The Sultan, clearly, acted ultra vires the provisions of the constitution of the state of Perak.

"My opinion has the backing of senior lawyers and professors of law," he said.