Kuala Lumpur - A prominent Malaysian lawmaker was charged with sedition Tuesday for allegedly insulting one of the country's nine royal rulers.

Karpal Singh, chairman of the Democratic Action Party, pleaded not guilty to the charge of insulting Sultan Azlan Shah of the northern Perak state on February 6.

Karpal's sedition charge came a day after his son, Gobind Singh Deo, was thrown out of Parliament and suspended for a year after he demanded Deputy Premier Najib Razak address opposition allegations that he was involved in the murder of a Mongolian woman in 2006.

Karpal, who said the case was politically motivated, was released on bail. No date has been set for a hearing.

"The government is using it [the Sedition Act] as a weapon against its political opponents," Karpal said outside the courtroom. "But I am prepared. There is nothing to fear."

Karpal was charged for comments he made after a power grab in Perak led by Najib earlier this year. The state had been governed by the opposition since the March
2008 elections, but the ruling party took over after the defections of three opposition lawmakers.

Sultan Azlan Shah had endorsed the takeover, without allowing for fresh state elections as requested by the opposition.

Prosecutors said Karpal had insulted the sultan by claiming the ruler could be sued for his actions. (dpa)