PKR slaps gag order on Zul Noordin
The PKR political bureau has imposed a gag order on its controversial MP Zulkifli Noordin pending a disciplinary committee hearing soon.
The PKR political bureau has imposed a gag order on its controversial MP Zulkifli Noordin pending a disciplinary committee hearing soon.
The powerful political bureau met this afternoon to discuss the fate of the Kulim Bandar Baru MP, who has come under fire for lodging a police report against opposition ally Khalid Samad.
Secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution said the bureau has resolved to refer Zulkifli to the party’s disciplinary committee.
He said that PKR regrets and rejects Zulkifli's action, including his police report against Khalid.
According to Saifuddin, the disciplinary committee is required to sit "as soon as possible" to investigate the complaint and make its recommendation within a month.
The committee can recommend that Zulkifli be served a warning, suspended or expelled from the party, he added.
The recommendation will then be submitted to the supreme council for the final decision.
"During the period of the investigation, a gag order has been imposed on Zulkifli, so he should not make any statements to the media."
Anwar opting for soft approach?
PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, who had previously told the press that Zulkifli had crossed the line with his police report, was ambiguous when asked if Zulkifli is now a liability to the party. 
"We regret (his actions) and we feel very strongly against the decision to lodge the police report against a fellow MP," he said.
Anwar also refused to confirm if the party would pressure Zulkifli to retract his police report.
"I don’t know what he would prefer, but certainly, we are convinced his action was wrong and he has to make the necessary correction," he said.
While PKR respect views that differ from those of the party, Anwar stressed that Zulkifli’s methods were wrong.
He added that Zulkifli had been given "ample reminders" to choose his platforms wisely.
Likewise, Saifuddin stressed that the political bureau will defend its members’ rights to air divergent views, but said Zulkifli’s police report is detrimental to the party. 
"The political bureau is of the opinion that the act had elements which undermines the party's channels and mechanisms," he said.
The political bureau meeting, which lasted two hours, kicked off at 2pm after a special briefing for elected representatives.
This is believed to be the first time the party is seriously mulling disciplinary action against Zulkifli, who has thus far received no more than a slap on the wrist for various transgressions.
Zulkifli's infamy grew when he and a few others barged into the Bar Council's forum on religious conversions in August 2008. The forum was eventually cut short.
Last November, Zulkifli made headlines again by challenging PKR vice-president R Sivarasa to quit after being criticised for constantly going against the party line.
Zulkifli accepts order
Meanwhile, when contacted for reactions, Zulkifli said he would abide by the party’s decision but insists that he would continue to speak against non-Muslim usage of the term ‘Allah’, if necessary.
"Any political party, including PKR, has the right to take actions (against its members)… (if it is) for the good of the party, but I too have a right to defend myself," he said.
"I don't believe there is a gag order (on religious issues), in general, because the party practices the freedom of speech. If there is such an order, then this is not PKR,” he added.
Abiding by the gag order, he declined to comment further on his police report against Khalid.
Asked about the 'little Pharaoh' mentioned in his morning blog posting, Zulkifli merely replied, "Whoever that eats chilli will taste the heat".
In a unrelated development, Indera Mahkota parliamentarian Azan Ismail today denied rumours that he was quitting PKR, due to his sudden resignation as Pahang PKR deputy chief yesterday.
Azan, who was also at Anwar’s press conference, said he was quitting his state posts in order to concentrate on his yet-to-be announced national level post.
S'gor PKR behind Khalid
Later during the press conference, Anwar rubbished rumours that Selangor PKR elected representatives had expressed displeasure at the leadership of PKR Selangor chief Khalid Ibrahim as menteri besar during the special briefing.
In dismissing the rumour, Anwar said Selangor elected representatives were actually focusing on how to react to Barisan Nasional’s alleged attempt to topple the state government.
Instead of expressing dissent, the Selangor elected representatives expressed their wish to see the state leadership improved and strengthened, he said.
To further emphasise the party’s support for Khalid’s leadership, he said the latter had been appointed the chief strategist to implement plans to counter BN’s offensive.
"The entire PKR party apparatus shall put the weight of their support behind the Khalid and his plans, so that it will see success," he said.
