IPOH: Karpal Singh should have sought an audience with Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak to express his views or criticisms of the Ruler's actions in private.

Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib said the DAP chairman should have been more courteous in his reproach of the Ruler.

He said Karpal may have had the right to express his views but he ought to exercise care in keeping with the Malay adab (etiquette) and adat (custom) when speaking of and to the rulers.

"He must understand and respect these entrenched traditions. Malaysians understand these etiquettes and customs.

"Karpal's manner of openly questioning the Sultan's power is seen by Malays as being very rude to their Ruler," said Muhammad after opening the 31st Perak Malay Contractors' Association annual general meeting here yesterday.
He said Karpal's conduct, besides being tantamount to sedition, could also threaten the peace and communal relations in the country.

Muhammad said this was not the first time Karpal was outspoken about Malay Rulers, adding that in the late 1980s the DAP leader was slapped on his face by Arshad Mohamed Gamat, a bomoh, for allegedly questioning the powers of the then Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah of Selangor.

He said Karpal should educate himself on the proper etiquette when dealing with the Malay Rulers.