Dangerous PKR man

Zulkifli Nordin attacks everyone over Islam

By Shannon Teoh - Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 - Pakatan Rakyat MP Zulkifli Nordin accused several parties including his own of disrespecting or insulting Islam in Dewan Rakyat today. "This pillar is being challenged from left, right, above, below, behind or in front, whether from the ruling party or from this side," he said, referring to the opposition benches. His statements are set to reignite speculation that he is ready to crossover to Umno as PKR have constantly been criticised for not punishing Zulkifli despite the party's principles of multicultural tolerance.

The Bar Council bore the brunt of his outburst as he accused it of insulting Islam by supporting apostates in Dewan Rakyat today and called for a separate Bar Council for Syariah laywers to be established which will protect those who practise Syariah law. "In the case of Azalina Jailani, the Bar Council sent a representative to be present in court to ensure she became an apostate," he added while debating the 2009 Budget. Azalina, also known as Lina Joy, however, had failed in her attempt to have the Federal Court rule that her religion be changed from Islam to Christian in May last year. The Kulim Bandar Baharu MP also said that a recent forum by the Bar Council to discuss Islamic matters openly, caused racial and religious tensions. Zulkifli had led a protest against the "Conversion to Islam" forum in August but insisted that he was there in his capacity as a Lawyers in Defence of Islam (Pembela) exco member, not an MP for PKR. He reiterated his stand today, saying "There are those that speak as if I am supporting another party but I am actually fighting for Islam. I do not care about what other people think of me because I will have to answer to Allah." Zulkifli proceeded to attack the suggestion that surfaced during the MCA General Assembly last weekend where delegates had called for the appointnment of a second Deputy Prime Minister who would be a non-Malay, calling it another challenge to Islam's position. "It insults Islam when parties go to court insisting they have the right to use the world Allah like Muslims do," he said in reference to the ongoing case where local Catholic weekly The Herald is attempting to get a court order to allow it to use the word Allah. Zulkifli also said that certain groups did not respect Muslims by disrupting Hari Raya celebrations by making unsuitable requests, an apparent reference to Hindraf's presence at the Cabinet open house where they lobbied Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi to release the Hindraf 5 detained under the Internal Security Act. He further claimed that the undermining of Islam had occurred since the time of former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. "This man had tried to expel a mufti who wanted to defend Islam. He soiled the institution of the Malay rulers with his deeds. He should be the last person to defend the Malays, after what he did. His hands are soiled," he said. Zulkifli then asked for a mosque to be built specifically for the Chinese Muslim community in Kuala Lumpur as more Chinese were converting to the faith. "I suggest the Pudu prison site be used for this purpose," he told Dewan Rakyat. He suggested als for certain articles in the Federal Constitution be amended "so that Islam is not challenged by irresponsible parties." Article 11(4) allows for state law and federal law in respect of the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Labuan, to restrict the propagation of any religious doctrine or belief among persons professing the religion of Islam. Zulkifli called for this clause to be passed into all state constitutions. Article 3 protects freedom of religion which Zulkifli wants amended so that Muslims specifically be subject to the regulations of Islam. ******************** Zulkifli dancing to Umno tune, say PR colleagues By Shannon Teoh KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 - PKR's partners in Pakatan Rakyat say that Zulkifli Nordin is dancing to Umno's tune after the MP's outburst on insults against Islam in Parliament yesterday. "He has fallen into their trap and is dancing to their tune," Selangor Pas deputy commisioner Khalid Samad told The Malaysian Insider. "It hurts our credibility. He seems to think he is the only defender of Islam," said the Shah Alam MP, adding that if Muslims insist that everything is taboo, it would be difficult for non-Muslims to respect and be attracted to the faith "Compromising with non-Muslims does not clash with Islamic principles," Khalid added. PKR's Kulim Bandar Baharu MP had yesterday attacked various quarters for challenging Islam, saying that it was being attacked from "the left, right, above, below, behind or in front, whether from the ruling party or from this side," referring to the opposition benches. Zulkifli had also been involved in an earlier debacle when he led a protest against the Bar Council forum on "Conversion to Islam" in August, where he was accused of barging into the forum and making an inciteful speech. Yesterday, he accused the Bar Council of supporting apostasy. There has also been widespread rumours linking the Barisan Nasional's dropping of the election petition in his constituency as a precursor to him crossing over to the ruling coalition. DAP vice-chairman Tan Kok Wai also expressed his regret over the matter, agreeing with Khalid that Zulkifli was playing into Umno's hands and that his action was damaging Pakatan Rakyat's credibility. "It is very straightforward that it hurts our credibility. Many members of the public are unhappy with PKR for not taking action after Zulkifli's behaviour at the Bar Council forum," he said. "Nobody is disrespecting Islam. It is a common agreement that Islam is the official religion as stated in the Federal Constitution. There is no doubt about this." He added however that it was clear that Zulkifli's action was not the considered stand of his party as none of his colleagues have echoed the same sentiments and while it was not up to DAP to suggest to PKR how to approach the matter, it is clear that the issue must be addressed so that it is not repeated.

UMNO and money politics

Rais: Umno members want $; not good leaders

Posted by St Low
Wednesday, 22 October 2008 09:45

Kuala Lumpur: Umno veteran Rais Yatim said he had been asked to pay for votes in the upcoming contest for top posts, and warned that money politics would destroy the party.

Rais, who is Foreign Minister said "the majority" of Umno members were more interested in making money out of the election than in voting for the right person.

"The majority of Umno people want to look for money and not for good leaders," said Rais, a member of Umno's Supreme Council who is vying for the vice-presidency.

"We have been approached under the cloak of assistance and cloak of contribution. (But) I'm not a player so you don't see my marks going up very high. If you want to be a good player, you have to say yes (to vote-buying)," he told reporters.

Rais, who has been with Umno for over 33 years, said the problem of money politics within the ruling party should be eradicated or it "will surely kill the party."

Umno, which has ruled Malaysia since independence, is holding meetings to nominate candidates for party posts after suffering major losses in polls this year. It will hold party elections next March.

"If Umno cannot curb this practice, Umno's future is done for because this has been (talked about) for the past two decades and it has not been curbed," he said.

In July, Umno asked the country's anti-corruption agency to help it battle vote-buying ahead of the heated battle for top leadership positions in the party.

Rais has only garnered five nominations of the 19 needed to contest in the party polls.

- Daily Express, Sabah