©The
Star (Used by permission)
KULIM–BANDAR Baru MP Zulkifli Noordin, who disappeared after taking part in a
protest against the Bar Council forum on the conversion to Islam on Aug 9, made
a surprise appearance at Parliament yesterday.
He was, however, evasive about his 10–day disappearance.
Speculation has been rife that he was detained under the Internal Security Act.
The PKR MP said he was away on “personal matters” after Aug 9, pointing out that
he had protested in his capacity as Persatuan Peguam Pembela Islam exco member
and not an MP.
“At no time was I there in my capacity as MP, and so, I did not have to inform
the party,” Zulkifli told reporters.
Zulkifli also denied barging into the forum, saying he was invited by Bar
Council secretary Lim Chee Wee to witness the forum being called off.
On whether he was arrested after the incident, Zulkifli only replied: “I don’t
know. I was on my own. I was detained in 1999.”
Asked why he took so long to “come out”, Zulkifli said: “I have my own personal
things to attend. What is so urgent for me to explain? I don’t understand what
the fuss is all about.”
He also said that he had yet to receive any show–cause letter from the party,
saying he had explained to PKR whip Azmin Ali and the latter accepted his
explanation.
“For me, it is Islam first, law second. It is also Islam first, PKR second. We
Muslims also have rights and we have been tolerant enough. I will take the lead
to speak for the Muslims. I am all for dialogue but the forum should have been
held behind closed doors,” Zulkifli said.
Lim said the council had invited the four leaders of the demonstrating groups
into the auditorium to watch the closing of the controversial forum under
duress.
“Firstly, some of the demonstrators, including Zulkifli, threatened to storm
into the auditorium if we did not call it off by 10am. When we were advised by
the police to do so, we agreed,” he said.
Lim said Zulkifli and three representatives insisted they come up and confirm
that the forum was truly closed.
“Under the circumstances, we had no choice but to invite them up,” he said when
contacted.
However, instead of behaving like invitees, Lim said they were aggressive,
refused to sit down, stood in the centre aisle, glared at the panel speakers and
interrupted activist Dr Mehrun Siraj who was speaking from the floor on the
importance of discussion on conflict issues.