PKR mulls action against protest leader Zulkifli

PKR mulls action against protest leader Zulkifli

Zulkifli Noordin leading the protest against the Bar Council forum yesterday.

By Shannon Teoh

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 10 — Parti Keadilan Rakyat will decide whether disciplinary action would be taken against its Kulim Bandar Baharu MP Zulkifli Noordin for stoking racial and religious sentiments when demonstrating against a forum here.

"We are going to discuss the matter. Zulkifli claims that he is there as a member of Pembela but he is still a party member.

"In principle we support peaceful demonstrations but are against the use of insulting and racial language and the storming of places where people are having discussions," said PKR deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali.

The first-term MP who protested on behalf of Lawyers in Defence of Islam (Pembela) had declared the forum by the Bar Council an insult and a challenge to Muslims in what some have termed a "hate speech" and also forced his way to the front of the auditorium where the forum was being held yesterday.

Syed Husin told The Malaysian Insider that it was hypocritical of Zulkifli to exercise his democratic freedom by denying others of the same freedom.

"I know that he is aware that the party is disagreeable to his actions," he added.

PKR vice-president Sivarasa Rasiah also confirmed that the matter would be discussed when the party's top leadership meets during the week.

"I echo Syed Husin's statement as Zulkifli acted without the sanction of the party and does not reflect our stand on the matter."
Zulkifli could not be contacted for comment.

It was reported that Zulkilfi was quoted yesterday as saying that it was time for the Bar Council to be led by a Muslim, so as to prevent the council from organising forums that could anger Muslims.

The Bar Council, however, has had many Muslim presidents within the last 30 years such as Raja Aziz Addruse, Abdullah A Rahman, Zainur Zakaria, Hendon Mohamed, Khutubul Zaman Bukhari and Sulaiman Abdullah.

Sulaiman is also Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's lead counsel for his defence team against the Sodomy II charge.

PKR de facto leader Anwar had made clear of his position that if the Bar Council forum yesterday were to proceed, it should be held behind closed doors, for now.

"To allay fears of others, have a closed forum. Deal with it, then engage with the rest, particularly those who have expressed concerns," he said on Friday.

kzso - we dare pkr to take action against zulkifli!