|
 ©New
Straits Times (Used by permission)
Reports by V. Vasudevan, Eileen Ng, Joseph Sipalan, Irdiani Mohd Salleh and
Ili Liyana Mokhtar
A DAY after she was called a racist and anti-religion by a fellow Pakatan Rakyat
member, Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam) said she did not bear any grudges against
Zulkifli Nordin (PKR-Kulim Bandar Baru).
"I was surprised by his strong reaction, I was not targeting
him at all.
"I was alluding to Ibrahim Ali whose speech is often provocative and laced with
references to Malay rights," Chong Eng said yesterday.
However, Zulkifli remained unapologetic.
"Her statement showed she was not tolerant of Islam and treated it as a
second-class religion.
"I felt her remark was racist since she focused only on
Chinese issues," said Zulkifli whose party promotes multi-culturalism and during
the last general election ran on the slogan "New Dawn for Malaysia".
Zulkifli said he had no reason to apologise to Chong Eng.
"Why should I apologise to her. In fact, I think she should apologise to me," he
said.
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng was unhappy with the PKR member's attack on
his Wanita chief.
"It is completely unjustified. She is not racist at all. His statement is no
different from Umno. I would have expected such an outburst from an Umno member
but not a PKR member," said Guan Eng, who is Penang chief minister and MP for
Bagan.
PKR vice-president R. Sivarasa said Zulkifili's remarks were uncalled for.
"It is unparliamentary. We will take action," he said in the lobby of
parliament.
Chong Eng said Zulkifli's reaction to her analogy on Islam during the debate on
the Education (Amendment) Bill, harked back to the 10th parliament when former
members like Datuk Ruhanie Ahmad were of the view that non-Muslims should not
discuss Islam.
"I am saddened by this view. Islam is a universal religion and a heritage of the
world. If I am not right, correct me."
On being labelled a racist, Chong Eng, who is married to an Indian, said she was
not perturbed.
"Just because you accuse me of racism, it does not make me one. I think his
remarks reflects badly on him."
For his part, Zulkifli felt aggrieved that Chong Eng had singled him out for
criticism.
"We are in the same coalition. She should have discussed with me first," he
said.
On Guan Eng's remarks on his conduct, Zulkifli said it was within the DAP
secretary-general's right to do so.
Zulkilfi repeated a remark which has become synonymous with his belief.
"I am a Muslim first, a party member second. I am Muslim first, a lawyer second,
I am a Muslim first, MP second. You attack and belittle Islam I will be there,"
he said.
 |
News 
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Circular No 297/2008
