UPDATED
By Syed Jaymal Zahiid
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 — PKR is in turmoil again after its controversial Kulim MP Zulkifli Noordin, a man known for his hardline Islamic views, challenged party vice president Sivarasa Rasiah to quit and face off with him in a contest over party policy.
His remarks come a day after Sivarasa reportedly said that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recent warning to party members to leave and join Umno if they did not agree with PKR policies was directed at the Kulim MP.
“My challenge to YB Siva, I dare you to step down within 24 hours as Vice President and we contest one to one. Let the PKR members decide whether defending and upholding Islam and the Muslim rights is or is not the party policy.
“If I lost then I am more than willing to leave PKR, for a party that do not defend and uphold Islam and the Muslim rights is not the party that I should be associated with,” he said in a statement today.
Zul’s statement is believed to be referring to liberal views expressed by Sivarasa and other leaders within the party who are pushing for a moderate image for the party.
But to the Kulim MP, these leaders often try impose their views as the dominant and guiding ideology of the party at the expense of suppressing the views of others such as himself.
“I want to ask YB Siva and the like of him, what does he mean when he said by toeing the party policy. Whose policy is he talking about? His policy? Is defending the right of Islam and the Muslim against the policy of PKR?
“All that I have defended and fought for are the rights of Islam and the Muslims. Is that a sin in PKR? Does human rights meant only rights of others, and Muslim has no say at all but to take everything hands down,” blasted Zul.
He claimed that PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was behind him and happy that he had upheld the rights of Muslims and their religion.
Zulkifli’s latest salvo will certainly deal a great blow to Anwar’s vigorous effort to plaster the cracks within the party and the Pakatan Rakyat bloc.
It is also an indication that Anwar could be losing control over his own men as the Kulim MP’s outburst comes a day after his call for more discipline among party leaders.
Time is also not on Anwar’s side as surveys have shown that voters are weary of the constant infighting with the fledgling pact that took power in four states just under two years ago.
But several PKR lawmakers have come out to contain further damage by blaming the rift between Zulkifli and Sivarasa on the media.
But the lawyer is not buying that excuse, saying Sivarasa had sufficient time to explain to him that he was misquoted as claimed by some leaders.
“Why didn’t he come to me and explain it himself,” he said adding that Sivarasa himself has been incommunicado.
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