By Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 – Kulim MP Zulkifli Noordin said today that his spat with PKR vice-president Sivarasa Rasiah was over and explained that it was normal in a democracy for party members to criticise one another.
“That is why we want to educate the public that this is the new politics that we are bringing. I was in New York recently and I saw some senators from the Democratic Party criticising the President and he accepted it openly because Americans are used to it already,” he told reporters in Parliament.
He added that PKR was in the process of educating the public that the party was willing to accept different views.
“This is a process of education for the public. It is alright for you to differ and disagree but at the end of the day make sure you know what is the ultimate aim or objective. And the objective is to have a multi-racial a party and system,” he said.
Zulkifli yesterday challenged party vice president Sivarasa Rasiah to quit and face off with him in a contest over party policy.
His remarks came after Sivarasa reportedly said that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recent warning to party members to leave and join Umno if they did not agree with PKR policies was directed at the Kulim MP.
Zulkifli confirmed that he has met with party advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and that the challenge is no longer an issue.
“There isn’t any more challenge because everything is settled. I won’t retract because everything is settled. Why should I retract?
“It is settled, meaning Datuk Seri has given his explanation and there must have been a misunderstanding by Sivarasa because he interpreted like that,” he said.
He also explained that he never wanted Sivarasa’s position.
“The challenge is more like a referendum and it’s not to get the post. Even if I win, I would give it to Siva because I don’t think that I am as capable as him. I am just interested to settle the matter. I believe what I meant was by challenging is like a referendum for the party grassroots.
“I have no interest in the party post,” he said.
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We read the head lines clear Zulkifli; we didn't miss a thing. Neither did we miss all your prior antics. The cry for disciplining you isn't something that DSAI himself had suggested; it has been put forth by many all this while. Here, refer to this for just a sample : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/117036.
You guys I hope, are smarter than some of the UMNO/BN politicians who still don't get it; that it is the Rakyat who determine your political future. By hugging Sivarasa, it does not resolve your prior idiotic actions, Zulkifli. Don't for one minute think that this exonerates you in the eyes of the public. Certainly not good enough for me.
You owe your explanation to the Rakyat. I put it to you, that unless you apologise for your past actions and agree to change & mend your ways, I for one, will mark anyone but a PKR candidate as my response at the ballot box.