Zulkifli defends his action at Bar forum

"I am a Muslim first, lawyer second; I am Muslim first, MP second," asserted PKR Kulim Bandar Baru parliamentarian Zulkifli Noordin today, breaking his silence for the first time after fronting the commotion which disrupted the Bar Council's ‘Conversion to Islam' forum on Aug 9.

Around 300 protesters under the care of Zulkifli gathered at the Bar Council headquarters a week ago to vigorously protest what they felt was an incendiary dialogue, with impact on Islam and its role.

The protest and the barging in of several protesters into the venue - and the police advice - forced event organisers to bring the event to an end after just an hour. The forum began at 9am.

"It is not right... for me Islam comes first, a party member second. If you attack Islam I'll be there," he exerted.

Moreover, Zulkifli insisted that he was present in his capacity as the executive council member from Lawyers in Defence of Islam (Peguam Pembela Islam), and not as a PKR member.

"When you talk about the sensitivity of others you should have it behind closed doors and invite those of authority. You don't invite every Tom, Dick and Harry to talk about Islam.

"You can talk about Islam but you can't talk for Islam. We Muslims also have rights you know," he blasted.

Anti-Islamic Bar

He also said that it was important to respect Islam and the rights of the Muslims.

"We have to respect each others rights (and) don't simply barge into other peoples rights and then start hiding behind the skirt of human rights," he said during a 30-minute press conference at the Parliament lobby.

"In fact I purposely attended the assembly because we are against the attitude of the Bar Council for going on with the forum despite objections from various parties - government and non-governmental organisations.

"You cannot look at the forum in isolation and say that they are having a forum, talking about some rights because you look at the background of the Bar Council... they have been very consistent with their anti-Islam stand," said Zulkifli.

When asked whether or not he had barged into the building to halt the discussion, Zulkifli said the media had distorted the situation.

"You have a misleading fact. There was no question of us stopping the forum. They have already discussed with the police to stop it... it's not because of us.

"We were just there to put forward our views... you mean the Muslim cannot stand up and protect their rights," he exasperated.

Zulkifli, who was believed to be evading public attention since the day of forum, said he was away on his personal matters and declined to explain further of his disappearance.

He said that he had not received any show cause letter from the party and added that he had already reasoned with his chief whip Azmin Ali ( photo ) and his reasons were accepted.

"Lawyers in Defence of Islam is an NGO which I'm proud to be associated with therefore I don't feel guilty because I was there in a different capacity," said Zulkifli.

Furthermore he added that his stance did not conflict with his party's position.

"That's the beauty of PKR because we have different views but we can get together... sometimes even contradictory views but we still sit together," he said.

‘ Tolerant Muslims'

The PKR parliamentarian added that Muslims in the country have been tolerant as they were forced to live under un-Islamic laws.

"We Muslims have been tolerant enough all this while... so many years we have been forced to live under law that is not Islam.

"It is time for the Muslims to speak up and I would take the lead for the Muslims to speak up," he said.

He added that he is looking into filing an ordinary motion or 18 (1) motion in Parliament against the Bar Council to have them "censured and reprimanded".

"I may file a motion in due course. I think it is about time the Bar Council learnt to respect the law, the constitution and also the views of other parties.

"First and foremost I feel (that) the Bar Council should learn to respect the religion of the federation which is Islam," he said.

Last week PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim said that he would be talking to Zulkifli soon on his action before determining if the party should take any action against him.

However today PKR chief whip Azmin said that he accepted Zulkifli's explanation in good faith.

He said that Zulkifli had briefed him on his whereabouts - overseas on a business trip.

"He is prepared to explain to the party about his actions. I have accepted his explanation," said Azmin.