MPs condemn death threat to Karpal
S PathmawathyPublished: May 21, 2008 5:06 PM | Updated: May 21, 2008 5:56 PM
Parliamentarians, including those from Barisan Nasional, have condemned the death threat and live bullet sent to fellow colleague and DAP leader Karpal Singh yesterday.
DAP Bukit Gelugor parliamentarian Karpal Singh, who received a live bullet in an envelope yesterday, has found support in fellow MPs, including those from BN.
Parliamentarians, including those from Barisan Nasional, have condemned the death threat and live bullet sent to fellow colleague and DAP leader Karpal Singh yesterday.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz said: “We have democracy in this country. Nobody should use underhand tactics to achieve something outside democracy.
“If there is any unhappiness over statements made by MPs, there are proper channels to go through. I condemn people who choose anarchy to achieve their objectives.”
Asked if the prime minister or parliamentarians who have been critical of Karpal’s remarks on the powers of the sultan in state administration were partly to blame, Nazri jumped to their defence.
“You cannot (use) something that is done democratically as a reason to justify undemocratic ways,” he said.
“It’s Karpal’s rights to make statement and it’s the government’s rights to reply accordingly. No one can exploit this right.”
He also said the threat could have come from anyone, and described the person as “a coward”.
“If he is not a coward he should face Karpal and resolve the matter directly,” Nazri added.
Nazri was speaking to reporters in the Parliament lobby, alongside opposition lawmakers Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Bagan) and Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (PKR-Permatang Pauh).
Lim, who is Penang chief minister, said the presence of the opposition members was to indicate that such threats affect all lawmakers regardless of political affiliation.
“In this matter we are moving beyond the partisan divide. Anybody can be next,” said Lim.
“The death threat reveals an uncivilised culture and the inhumanity of gangsters who have no respect for national aspirations and patriotism.”
He said the public should “trust in the ballot box” and not resort to sending live bullets.
“We believe in peace, in democracy and the concept of monarchy in the country. We don’t believe in the use of threats and violence to achieve any means. This is the stand of all parliamentarians present here - we object to the threat to Karpal,” he said.
‘Stay within law’
Puchong MP and Karpal’s son Gobind Singh Deo said the incident has caused unease to family-members.
“We are law abiding and we have done what we have to do. We have left it to the police to investigate and we will take it from there. We have look beyond what has happened and understand the issues involved,” said Gobind.
He also said, as far as Karpal is concerned, such threats will never prevent him from speaking out on issues.
“That the way he is. He has always been like that,” said Gobind.
“If you are not happy with it than you have your recourse - either respond to it or take whatever action the law prescribes. We do not condone any mechanism or methods outside of the law.”
Gobind said the authorities had recorded statements from Karpal and employees at his law firm today, but that his father has not asked for police protection as the system will have to take its course.
Karpal, a prominent criminal lawyer and Bukit Gelugor MP, lodged a police report over the death threat yesterday at the Dang Wangi police station, after a helmet-wearing man had delivered an envelope to his office at 12.30pm.
Over the past week, he has had 20 police reports lodged against him after he said the sultan of Perak had acted unconstitutionally in ordering the reinstatement of the Islamic affairs department head, who had earlier been transferred by the menteri besar.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz said: “We have democracy in this country. Nobody should use underhand tactics to achieve something outside democracy.“If there is any unhappiness over statements made by MPs, there are proper channels to go through. I condemn people who choose anarchy to achieve their objectives.”
Asked if the prime minister or parliamentarians who have been critical of Karpal’s remarks on the powers of the sultan in state administration were partly to blame, Nazri jumped to their defence.
“You cannot (use) something that is done democratically as a reason to justify undemocratic ways,” he said.
“It’s Karpal’s rights to make statement and it’s the government’s rights to reply accordingly. No one can exploit this right.”
He also said the threat could have come from anyone, and described the person as “a coward”.“If he is not a coward he should face Karpal and resolve the matter directly,” Nazri added.
Nazri was speaking to reporters in the Parliament lobby, alongside opposition lawmakers Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Bagan) and Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (PKR-Permatang Pauh).
Lim, who is Penang chief minister, said the presence of the opposition members was to indicate that such threats affect all lawmakers regardless of political affiliation.
“In this matter we are moving beyond the partisan divide. Anybody can be next,” said Lim.
“The death threat reveals an uncivilised culture and the inhumanity of gangsters who have no respect for national aspirations and patriotism.”
He said the public should “trust in the ballot box” and not resort to sending live bullets.
“We believe in peace, in democracy and the concept of monarchy in the country. We don’t believe in the use of threats and violence to achieve any means. This is the stand of all parliamentarians present here - we object to the threat to Karpal,” he said.
‘Stay within law’
Puchong MP and Karpal’s son Gobind Singh Deo said the incident has caused unease to family-members.
“We are law abiding and we have done what we have to do. We have left it to the police to investigate and we will take it from there. We have look beyond what has happened and understand the issues involved,” said Gobind. He also said, as far as Karpal is concerned, such threats will never prevent him from speaking out on issues.
“That the way he is. He has always been like that,” said Gobind.
“If you are not happy with it than you have your recourse - either respond to it or take whatever action the law prescribes. We do not condone any mechanism or methods outside of the law.”
Gobind said the authorities had recorded statements from Karpal and employees at his law firm today, but that his father has not asked for police protection as the system will have to take its course.
Karpal, a prominent criminal lawyer and Bukit Gelugor MP, lodged a police report over the death threat yesterday at the Dang Wangi police station, after a helmet-wearing man had delivered an envelope to his office at 12.30pm.
Over the past week, he has had 20 police reports lodged against him after he said the sultan of Perak had acted unconstitutionally in ordering the reinstatement of the Islamic affairs department head, who had earlier been transferred by the menteri besar.
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