Kulim Bandar Baharu MP, Zulkifli Noordin seen leaving the PKR headquarters. - Picture by Jack Ooi
PETALING JAYA, March 1 — Kulim Bandar Baharu MP Zulkifli Noordin has denied rumours of quitting PKR, saying he will continue defending himself before the party’s disciplinary board.
The first-term MP said his presence at the board’s hearing today showed that he is serious to stay on in the party. He was referred to the disciplinary board for lodging a police report against PAS’s Khalid Samad over the “Allah” row
Rumours of Zulkifli’s defection emerged this morning when Nibong Tebal MP Tan Tee Beng declared his intention to turn independent over his spat with Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
“I have said earlier that the ‘little pharaohs’ in the party can’t wait to see me expelled, up to this morning I heard stories of my refusal to attend the hearing,” Zulkifli told a press conference after meeting the disciplinary board for an hour.
“I have been very sincere and I have written three letters to the disciplinary board,” he added.
He also denied reports that he had arranged Tan’s press conference this morning.
“It had nothing to do with me, these stories were made up,” said Zulkifli.
However he was saddened by Tan’s decision to leave the party.
“I am disappointed that he decided to quit, but maybe he had reached a stage where he can no longer compromise,” said Zulkifli.
On former secretary-general Datuk Salehuddin Hashim’s statement that up to 10 PKR lawmakers are planning to defect, Zulkifli said he is not one of them.
“You have to ask the secretary-general,” he said.
On his disciplinary proceedings, Zulkifli said he had orally raised eight issues to be deliberated by the board.
“They decided that they need time to study the issues that I have raised and they agreed to investigate the matter,” he said.
Zulkifli however refused to disclose the issues saying that it is inappropriate for him to discuss them publicly.
He said that the disciplinary board will deliver its decision on Mar 4.
Zulkifli also agreed that he has been treated fairly by the board.
“I don’t think anybody will be happy to be dragged to the board, but so far yes, although I am not happy that they did not reply to the letter,” he said.
Zulkifli claimed that he had written to the disciplinary board on Feb 16, 23 and 27 to explain himself, but the body did not reply his letters.
But according to sources close to the disciplinary board Zulkifli has been incommunicado since his return from Korea last week.
A PKR insider said the last email was sent by Zulkifli on Feb 16 requesting the proceedings to be held between Feb 28 and Mar 5.
Zulkifli’s hearing was initially set for Feb 23 but he was in Korea for a leadership conference.
1 comment:
just quit
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