Karpal steps aside as DAP chairman

KUALA LUMPUR: Veteran politician Karpal Singh has announced that he will be stepping aside as party chairman pending his sedition appeal.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court had on March 11 fined  Karpal RM4,000 after he was found guilty of uttering a seditious statement involving the Sultan of Perak.
  
In a statement issued this morning, Karpal said he was no  longer eligible to remain an office bearer, adviser or employee of a registered society following the court decision.
  
This is in line with provisions under Section 9A of the  Societies Act 1966, which bars anyone who has been fined  more than RM2,000 or one year’s jail from holding office.
  
“I cannot until the conviction is set aside or the fine reduced  to one under RM2,000 continue to remain chairman of the  DAP.
  
“Under the circumstances, I am publicly announcing that I  am, pending my appeal to the Court of Appeal against the  conviction and sentence which has been filed, stepping aside  as chairman of the DAP,” he said in the statement.
  
It was also announced that party deputy chairman Tan Kok  Wai will be stepping in as acting chairman in the interim.
  
Karpal, who is Bukit Gelugor member of parliament, said  although he could apply to the Registrar of Societies to grant  him an exemption from being disqualified, he would not do  so.
  
“I will not demean myself by applying for exemption.