Tree a symbol of treason and contempt: Zambry - Star

March 9, 2009 By SYLVIA LOOI

IPOH: The state government has criticised the naming of a raintree as the Tree of Democracy after an emergency “sitting” of the state assembly was held under it.

Democracy Tree courtesy of Malaysiakini

Mentri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the tree might be “a tree of democracy” for Pakatan Rakyat, but he considered it a symbol of treason and contempt for royalty.

“They know that what they did was without royal consent, and even the court has decided on the position.

Perak Pakatan Rakyat assemblymen attended an emergency sitting at a vacant lot under a tree on Tuesday morning. - 3 March, 2009. Picture courtesy of The Star

“Their actions clearly show their contempt for the Sultan and the royal institution,” he told reporters after the state-level Maulidur Rasul celebration at the State Secretariat building here on Monday.

He was commenting on Perak Pakatan naming the raintree and the planting of five trees to commemorate the emergency “sitting” and the first anniversary of Pakatan’s rule in the state.

Picture courtesy of Malaysiakini

Dr Zambry said the rakyat should by now be able to see through the tricks played by Pakatan on them.

He also took a swipe at former mentri besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin for likening the under-the-raintree sitting to the Hudaibiyah Agreement (a peace agreement between Prophet Muhammad and the Quraisy people).

Pakatan Rakyat state assemblymen passing a motion during the emergency sitting held at a vacant lot on Tuesday morning. - 3 March, 2009

“It is another example of deviation by him,” Dr Zambry said.

When asked whether instructions had been given to remove the plaque and uproot the trees, Dr Zambry said: “I don’t want to answer your question.”

However, he said the trees were planted on road reserve, which was under the Ipoh City Council jurisdiction.