The astonishing attack by Karpal Singh on practically everyone from Anwar to those who dared to make police reports on his potential suit against the Sultan of Perak had everyone off their seats. Things are really heating up now. However, Anwar tries to placate things by blaming it on “misunderstanding caused by the twisting of facts by the Umno controlled media”. He also denied that a legal suit will be made against the Sultan:

PKR supremo Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim claimed tonight that DAP chairman Karpal Singh’s outburst demanding that the Opposition leader step down as Pakatan Rakyat leader was a “misunderstanding caused by the twisting of facts by the Umno controlled media. “The ‘twisting of facts’ had caused Karpal to blame me for the loss of Perak,” he told reporters after addressing a crowd of Pakatan supporters at the official residence of deposed Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Nizar Jamaluddin.

Besides Nizar and several PR leaders, also present were deputy DAP chairman Dr Tan Seng Giaw and Pas president Datuk Hadi Awang.

In the press conference at his Penang law firm, Karpal criticised Anwar, his DAP boss Lim Kit Siang and even Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for what he deemed as their “inconsistent stand” on party hopping. In a Press conference at his Penang law firm, Karpal claimed that their stance had caused the whole Pakatan Rakyat to be in disarray. Karpal also accused Anwar of being unfit to lead Pakatan Rakyat and demanded that the PKR supremo step down.

Anwar claimed there was no bad blood between him and Karpal, and that he would be more than happy to meet Karpal to explain the situation. “The three parties in Pakatan Rakyat have no problems working together,” he claimed.

Anwar also played down Karpal’s planned law suit against the Sultan of Perak for allowing Barisan Nasional to form a new Perak Government.

The lawsuit, he said, would no longer be filed. Instead, a panel of lawyers from Pakatan Rakyat would be established to look into any legal remedies to the situation, he told the crowd.

Anwar said this decision was made during a meeting with DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang and Hadi earlier today. He also said that he, Lim and Hadi would seek an audience with the Sultan of Perak as soon as possible.

Malaysiakini reported Anwar as saying it was “personal view” of Karpal:

DAP chairperson Karpal Singh’s call for Anwar Ibrahim to step down as the Pakatan Rakyat leader was his personal view and did not reflect the official stand of DAP, said the PKR leader today.

Anwar said that Karpal was disappointed with him for not agreeing with the senior lawyer in filing a suit against the Sultan of Perak over the sacking of the Pakatan government in the state.

“Our opinions differ on the suit against the sultan. What he said was his personal opinion,” Anwar told reporters after attending a Pakatan rally in Ipoh.

He also dismissed Karpal’s allegations that he had caused disarray in Pakatan with his calls for BN elected representatives to defect to Pakatan.

Anwar said he had discussed Karpal’s outburst with DAP leader Lim Kit Siang and will be talking to Karpal too. He also said that a Pakatan meeting today did not discuss the matter.

It won’t be complete without talking about Karpal Singh’s statements. Let’s look at NST‘s, The Star‘s and Malaysiakini‘s reports (in order):

In an amazing outburst, DAP national chairman Karpal Singh criticised today PKR chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, his DAP boss Lim Kit Siang and even Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for what he deemed as their “inconsistent stand” on party hopping. In a Press conference at his Penang law firm, Karpal claimed that their stance had caused the whole Pakatan Rakyat to be in disarray. Karpal also accused Anwar of being unfit to lead Pakatan Rakyat and demanded that the PKR supremo step down.

Karpal expressed his disappointment with the stand taken by Anwar and DAP leaders on party hopping, claiming that their inconsistency had caused the whole alliance in Pakatan Rakyat to be in disarray.

The MP for Bukit Gelugor called on the DAP to seriously reconsider its membership in Pakatan Rakyat to show the party does not condone dishonesty of any kind, in particular treachery to the people through crossovers.

Calling on Anwar to repent, Karpal said the former deputy prime minister had created enough trouble for the country.

“I wonder if he is fit to be the leader of Pakatan Rakyat. In fact I think Pakatan Rakyat requires another leader, a good leader. Not someone who believes in immorality, even accepting crossovers,” he said at a press conference in his law firm here today.

Karpal expressed regret that some Pakatan Rakyat members and even the DAP had fallen into the temptation of supporting crossovers.

“Some of them have not even said a word all this while and I regret that I did not get support from even my own party leaders (on the crossover issue). Kit Siang and Guan Eng should support me instead of making statements supporting Anwar Ibrahim. I am the chairman of DAP and let me make it clear to the party leaders that I have the support of the rank and file,” he said.

Karpal then went on to issue a warning to his party leaders not to push him to far. “I have been patient all this while. Don’t let matters come to a head in the interest of Pakatan Rakyat and also DAP. In fact, I have even proposed that DAP leave Pakatan Rakyat on the issue of hudud law but no one supported me. Neither Kit Siang or Guan Eng. It is a shame and they should also bertaubat (repent).”

Asked if he would call for an emergency party meeting to discuss DAP future in the alliance, Karpal said he was already contemplating doing so. “I have been silent for too long. I cannot fight the cause of the DAP alone although I have been trying. What I am saying and am defending is nothing but the truth.”

ON CRITICISMS THAT HE COMMITTED TREASON
Karpal slammed those who had accused him of committing treason for taking on Sultan of Perak.

“Those who have lodged reports against me are obviously ignorant of the law. I would like to make it clear to everyone that they better not play with me. I have taken enough. If you want trouble then you have come to the right place,” he said. “I will not be cowed by anyone on the issue.”

Karpal reiterated that he had done nothing unlawful or illegal in relation to the Sultan of Perak.

“I am just stating that the Sultan is also subject to the due process of the law and he can be sued in his official capacity for dismissing the Pakatan Rakyat state government.

Karpal repeated his view that the Sultan has acted ultra vires to the provisions of Article 16(6) of the constitution of Perak.

The Star:

Cracks appeared again in the Pakatan Rakyat with DAP chairman Karpal Singh calling on Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to step down as head of the alliance.

Blaming Anwar, also PKR advisor and de facto leader, for creating trouble in the opposition alliance, he said Pakatan needed a new leader.

“He (Anwar) has created enough trouble and it is time for him to bertaubat (repent).

“It’s time Pakatan got itself another leader,” he told a press conference at his office here Sunday.

Karpal Singh said members of PKR and DAP had fallen sway to the rhetoric of Anwar, who had supported the cross-over of elected representatives.

… PKR last year had proposed restoring some of the legal immunities to the royal families.

Malaysiakini:

In an outburst that could have deep implications for the Pakatan Rakyat alliance, DAP chairperson Karpal Singh today openly urged Anwar Ibrahim to step down as the leader of the alliance.

He blamed Anwar for the disarray in Pakatan which was caused by the PKR leader’s continuous rhetoric of forming government with the aid of defectors from Barisan Nasional.

Karpal also had harsh words for his colleagues in DAP, especially party veteran Lim Kit Siang and party secretary general Lim Guan Eng – for their inconsistent stand on party hopping.

But the brunt of his anger was on Anwar, whom the veteran politician said had caused trouble in the opposition alliance.

Karpal did not mince his words when he said that Pakatan needed a new leader.

“He has created enough trouble and it is time for him to bertaubat (repent).

“It’s time Pakatan got itself another leader,” he said in an amazing attack which will surely be picked up by BN leaders to portray the Pakatan alliance as a loose one waiting to collapse.

Karpal’s biggest complain was Anwar’ support for defections of elected representatives.

Talking to reporters in his office in Penang today, Karpal said that party-hopping can never be justified.

“I am somewhat confounded how Anwar could have openly espoused and encouraged crossovers after the people gave a resounding mandate to the Pakatan on March 8 last year,” he said.

“In the public interest, and in particular in the interest of the Pakatan, Anwar has a lot to answer for creating the woes of the Pakatan now,” he added.

Karpal also blamed the BN for practising the game of defections – giving examples of how the ruling coalition had pinched DAP leaders in 1979 and 1982, a period when Anwar was still with Umno and BN.

“I only hope Anwar did not learn of the morality, or rather immorality, of political kangaroos hopping form the opposition to the BN during the time he was in the BN.

“Be that as it may, the intelligence of the rakyat should not be underestimated by politicians from either side of the divide.

“The trust of the people cannot and should not be taken for granted by elected representative,” said the Bukit Gelugor member of parliament.

He added that the mandate to form a government must come from the people and not from crossovers.

He said that it was most unfortunate that there have been crossovers in Perak, resulting in the turmoil in that state now.

He added that the solution for the crisis in Perak lied squarely in the hands of the judiciary, given that the Perak sultan has appointed a new BN menteri besar and is poised to appoint a new exco on Tuesday.

“The predicament faced by the rakyat in Perak is the consequence of political treachery and large scale deception and commission of fraud on the voters by the assemblypersons who have deserted the party, the strength of which placed them in the state assembly,” he added.

Karpal also expressed his disappointment with a number of PKR and DAP leaders who supported the idea of party hopping.

He said DAP leaders should give their support to him as the party’s national chairperson, and not to Anwar.

“I regret that I am not able to get support even from my party leaders. Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng should support me, not give statements supporting Anwar Ibrahim.

“I request support….I am the chairman of DAP. And I warn my party leaders not to push me too far. I have been patient all this while, don’t make matters come to a head in the interest of Pakatan and DAP,” he warned.

He also said Pakatan should ensure that it remained strong and received the full support of the people in the next general election to take over the government from BN.

“Dont’ take for granted the trust given by the people. The mandate to form a government should come from the people,” he added.

… It is uncertain how other senior DAP leaders would react to Karpal’s statement today.

Guan Eng was reported in the papers today as saying that Pakatan will speak as one on matters relating to Perak.

Karpal has for some weeks now been highly critical of the other Pakatan allies. Last month he warned that DAP would leave the alliance if PAS continued with its Islamic state and hudud law policies.

I think Karpal, as chairman of DAP, has been sidelined or out-voiced in many of DAP’s decisions with relation to Pakatan. He feels the fellow leaders in DAP are not supporting him in promoting DAP’s principles, while those leaders may feel that they should being a bit accommodating  with fellow Pakatan partners.

Meanwhile, the Bar Council supports Karpal’s move to file a suit.