KUALA LUMPUR, 14 Oct 2008: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Member of Parliament for Kulim/Bandar Baharu Zulkifli Noordin today dismissed talk that he would join Umno.
This comes on the heels of Datuk Abdul Aziz Sheikh Fadzir of the Barisan Nasional (BN) withdrawing his petition seeking to nullify Zulkifli’s election in the 12th general election last March.
“That (crossover) does not arise. I am still with PKR, and am seated with the PKR MPs in Parliament.
“I am constantly in touch with PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. So, there is no problem … and no question of my crossing over,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby.
He also said that there had been no offers for him to join Umno.
Zulkifli has to face the PKR disciplinary committee over his involvement in the disruption of the Bar Council’s forum on the conversion to Islam in August.
“I have given an explanation on my stand, stating that I give priority to championing Islam. If PKR provides a platform on championing Islam, I will have no problem,” he said.
The High Court in Alor Star yesterday struck out the election petition after Abdul Aziz withdrew it saying he decided to do so after discussions with BN leaders and taking into consideration the current economic situation.
In the petition, Abdul Aziz claimed that Zulkifli had failed to submit his statement of expenditure when he contested the Kuala Langat parliamentary seat in the 2004 general election, which contravenes the Election Act.
Abdul Aziz also claimed that the returning officer had failed to act against Zulkifli’s nomination though the EC had the documents confirming Zulkifli’s failure to submit his statement of expenditure.
Zulkifli had won the seat by polling 22,255 votes against Abdul Aziz’s 5,583. — Bernama