KUALA LUMPUR - WHEN Mr Nizar Jamaluddin refused a royal command to resign as Perak chief minister with these mocking words mohon derhaka (a humble request to revolt), the phrase immediately captured public imagination.
Patik mohon derhaka has now become the catchphrase for the opposition as it remains locked in a stand-off with the Barisan Nasional. (Patik is a respectful word used by a commoner to refer to oneself when addressing royalty.)
Umno has now taken this literally, and has launched a campaign accusing the opposition Pakatan Rakyat of insulting the monarchy, and of derhaka (treason).
This has raised the political temperature in the state, which has seen an outpouring of anger since Barisan Nasional (BN) toppled the Pakatan government last Thursday with the help of four defectors.
Over the last two days, Umno and Umno-linked organisations have organised protests and lodged police reports against various Pakatan leaders for insulting the Perak ruler.
Their focus is Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Karpal Singh, who had threatened to sue the sultan. This decision was later withdrawn by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.
'If you look at it from the point of royal customs, this certainly can be seen as tainting the name of the sultan and an act of treason,' Minister of International Trade and Industry Muhyiddin Yassin said.
Yesterday, several hundred people from Umno and Malay NGOs gathered in Ipoh and Malacca to condemn the Pakatan leaders for being traitors.
The hundreds who gathered at the Perak Umno headquarters in Ipoh to march to the palace nearby to show support for Sultan Azlan Shah were, however, stopped by police.
The Umno-linked Mingguan Malaysia ran on its front-page a series of quotes from Malay leaders condemning Pakatan for insulting the monarchy.
In an editorial, the newspaper said action should be taken against Mr Nizar and, if necessary, the Internal Security Act should be used.
Umno is clearly trying to seize the public agenda from Pakatan, which has been gaining much public sympathy. It was a popular government in the state, and Mr Nizar was well-liked.
Many Perak residents blame the sultan for allowing BN to take over the government instead of acceding to Pakatan's request for fresh polls.
The Pakatan leadership, however, has taken pains to avoid criticising the sultan as it is aware of the legal pitfalls. It is also aware that many Malays still feel reverence for the monarchy. Criticism, especially coming from non-Malays, is particularly sensitive.
Perak's population is about 47 per cent Malay, 41 per cent Chinese and 12 per cent Indian.
Former premier Mahathir Mohamad has said that while the law allowed for a sultan to be brought to court, it was not ethical.
Former Minister of International Trade and Industry Rafidah Aziz has called for action against Mr Nizar and his executive councillors for defying the royal command.
This recasting of the debate could put Pakatan on the defensive, although it is unlikely to change public sentiment that is strongly against the takeover.
Last night, thousands gathered at the state chief minister's official residence - that has become the opposition's base since Mr Nizar refused to vacate it - to listen to Pakatan leaders.
And hundreds signed a petition demanding that Ms Hee Yit Foong, who defected from the DAP to become an independent, resign her seat to allow for a by-election. Given the sentiment in Perak, the opposition will win any election there easily.
Mr Nizar yesterday met supporters at a Hindu temple in Ipoh for Thaipusam celebrations.
He is expected to file a legal challenge this week against the appointment of BN chief minister Zambry Abdul Kadir.
Carolyn Hong
The Straits Times
Singapore
09/02/09
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