By Baradan Kuppusamy - The Malaysian Insider
Zulkifli (picture) accused Anwar today of bias after the latter directed him to withdraw the police report lodged over the “Allah” issue.
He added that he would only withdraw the report if Khalid also retracted a statement saying the Selangor Islamic enactments are outdated.
But despite his antagonistic stand and the rising chorus for him to be sacked Pakatan Rakyat supremo Anwar is not likely to endorse any move to sack Zulkifli.
PKR party officials say Zulkifli will still face stern disciplinary action even if he escapes the sack.
“Even newly appointed Secretary-General Saifuddin Nasution has joined in the chorus of criticisms,” a PKR source said.
“But Anwar has always been against sacking anybody…he knows how it feels as he himself was sacked from Umno once.”
“He is always for forgivng and I expect Zulkifli to be suspended,” the source said adding however that Zulkifli may resign to “save face” before the party’s disciplinary committee makes a decision.
The political bureau is meeting tomorrow and although the Zulkifli issue would be discussed, the matter will likely be referred to the disciplinary committee.
If Zulkifli resigns he could declare himself an independent as PAS, of which he was a member before, is unlikely to accept him.
“He is tainted…nobody wants him. Even Umno will reject him but he will not join Barisan,” the source said. “The best option for him is to resign voluntarily and be an independent in Parliament.”
“None of the Pakatan political parties will accept him or re-field him in the upcoming general election,” Pakatan sources said. “This is probably the end of road for Zulkifli.”
PKR supreme council member Datuk Zaid Ibrahim issued a strong statement today, demanding the party sack Zulkifli, arguing that lodging a report was unacceptable and a form of intimidation.
“It is time for PKR to look at itself... its credibility is being affected. In my view, they must sack him. Otherwise the party will become a laughing stock,” Zaid told a press conference this morning.
Anwar said last night that Zulkifli will face disciplinary action by the party.
“I have always given him room to express himself but I have not always agreed with him.
“I have advised him not to cause any tension among our partners but he has crossed the line this time,” Anwar told reporters at Pakatan Rakyat’s road show here last night.
PKR sources said Anwar had pulled up Zulkifli twice before and he was let off because he allegedly apologised to the party boss.
Zulkifli is said to have a special relationship with Anwar as he was one of the nine original lawyers acting for him after the former DPM was sacked in 1998 and charged with sodomy and corruption.
He was detained under Internal Security Act in September 1998 together with Anwar and 17 other persons.
He was one of the few lawyers who stepped up to defend Tun Salleh Abas in the “1988 May Day for Justice” saga.
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