Karpal did so in his effort to prove that Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz had misled the public.
In the Oct 1988 report in The Star, it was reported that Tan Sri Wan Suleiman Pawan Teh and Datuk George Seah would receive pension benefits.
“The Yang Di-Pertuan Agong issued the order on Tuesday, on receiving the findings and recommendations of a five-member judicial tribunal. Attorney-General Tan Sri Abu Talib Othman made public the 140-page main report of the tribunal today on the order of the King,” Karpal read out excerpts from the cutting.
He said it was difficult to comprehend how Nazri could say the provision of pensions for the judges was not privy to the public and for 20 years, no one had knowledge on the matter.
“The public was privy to the position 20 years ago but Nazri, as the proverbial ostrich, has all this while had his head buried in the sand, oblivious to what has transpired around him.
“On Nov 6, Nazri had according to him made a mistake by stating in the House that the judges were not sacked but was asked to retire. Now, Nazri has the audacity to mislead the entire country.
“If he has any self respect, he should ‘drown himself in dignity’ by resigning as minister. He has lost that high moral ground from which a responsible minister must and of necessity aspire to operate,” said Karpal.
On another matter, Karpal said there was no basis to restore the Rulers’ immunity and the royalty should instead set the example by complying with the law.
Responding to the statement made by Negeri Sembilan Regent Tunku Naquiyuddin Tuanku Jaafar, he said he failed to see how the restoration of the immunity would enhance the role of the rulers.
“Calling for immunity only presupposes eventuality of possible infringement of the law. The passage of the amendments to the Federal Constitution in 1993 has in fact been a check on the perpetration of crime against citizens on the part of the royalty.
“The situation before the amendments is a thing of the past. The amendments have achieved its desired results,” he added.
In a rare occasion, Karpal also commended former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for taking the bold and right steps in effecting the amendments.
“Subjecting the rulers to the law just like any other citizen, places Malaysia in a unique position, which perhaps should be emulated by other countries which have royalty. Everyone, including royalty must be equal before the law.
“Restoration of immunity of the rulers will only put the clock back for the country. This is a situation that must be averted at all costs,” said Karpal.
