Zul denies demanding money to step down as MP

Independent Kulim-Bandar Baru MP Zulkifli Noordin has denied demanding RM60,000 in return for vacating his seat to allow opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim to contest.

While describing the claim by ex-PKR deputy president Syed Husin Ali in his recently-launched ‘Memoir Perjuangan Politik’ (Memoirs of a Political Struggle) as a lie, Zulkifli said the senior PKR leader had himself met him as Anwar’s representative to ask Zulkifli to vacate his seat.

“I strenuously deny Syed Husin’s accusation. On the contrary, I would like to stress that Syed Husin should know better that what he claims is a lie, because Syed Husin himself met with me as Anwar Ibrahim’s representative.

“I was the one offered to vacate the Kulim-Bandar Baru seat, and was told that if I agreed to leave it, Anwar promised to offer me a high position in whichever Selangor GLC with a remuneration of between RM50,000 to RM60,000 a month!” claimed Zulkifli in his latest blog entry entitled ‘Anjing-Anjing Pencen’ (Retired dogs).

Azmin wanted to be deputy president

According to Zulkifli, Syed Husin also tried to convince him that Anwar would fulfill his promise because he himself was promised the same thing if he stepped down as PKR’s deputy president as Anwar wanted Azmin Ali to hold the post.

"Syed Husin told me that if he vacated the seat of deputy PKR president to give way to Azmin (in photo), Anwar promised him the position of senator,” he wrote.

Zulkifli also claimed that Syed Husin (right) had wanted to be an elected representative but had always lost.

“He even tried to be chosen to contest the Kota Baru parliamentary seat, but was rejected because he had been labelled an “anak komunis” (little communist) by PAS leaders then.

“So to be a senator the easy way, to be a Yang Berhormat, was through the back door,”he alleged further.

According to the former PKR parliamentary representative, he was ready to vacate his Kulim-Bandar Baru, but insisted on rejecting the offer in any GLC in Selangor.

Zulkifli said this was because his struggle was not for such rewards.

“If that was what I’ve been seeking, it would have been better than that I practise as a lawyer.

“Unfortunately, I stress to Syed Husin Ali, for 10 years being one of Anwar’s lead lawyers, for which I’ve been thrown under ISA (Internal Security Act) detention, I have never asked or been paid a single sen from Anwar for my services as lawyer.

“It’s all be done for free and pro-bono!” he said.

Zulkifli also claimed that he did not vacate his parliamentary seat because Anwar himself was not sure of winning Kulim Bandar Baru.

Azizah’s tears

“On the contrary, (Anwar) was sure of winning in Permatang Pauh. So Anwar said he did not need the Kulim Bandar Baru parliamentary seat!

“I was also called by (PKR president) Wan Azizah (Wan Ismail) who told me she was forced to vacate the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat.

“It was clear that Wan Azizah was under pressure when we met, because she was sad and had been crying when she told me she was made to vacate the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat!

“Wan Azizah even commented, 'What have I gotten after sacrificing so much for Bang Non? I, who has gone through so much, you think Bang Non would have sacrificed for me as I did?'” Zulkifli asked, alluding to Wan Azizah’s term of endearment for her husband.

To Zulkifli, the accusations and claims by Syed Husin were created and made up to attack his credibility and integrity for his exposure of Anwar’s lies and deceit.