Zulkifli goes ballistics against Khalid

Controversial PKR parlimentarian Zulkifli Noordin has today launched another scathing attack against his opposition colleague, Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad.

Without mincing his words, Zulkifli accused the PAS leader of committing “gross abuse against Islam and Islamic institutions in this country, and in Selangor particularly”.

The Kulim Bandar Bharu MP wants both the police and PAS to investigate Khalid and ensured that he be punished and expelled from the party for his remarks.

“I believe his statement reflects his arrogance and conceit, as well as his feeling of greatness and his indifference to the other people's views,” he added.

Zulkifli (right) was referring to Khalid's statements in Malaysiakini, in which the PAS leader called for a review of the 1988 Non-Islamic Religions (Restrictions on propagation among Muslims) enactment, describing the law as “outdated”.

Other than prohibiting the use of the term 'Allah' by non-Muslims in non-Islamic context, the act also prohibits the use of 24 other words, including Ilahi, wahyu, imam and nabi.

Zulkifli and Khalid (right) had earlier locked horns over the same issue when the Kuala Lumpur High Court overturned a three-year ban by the Home Ministry against the use of the word 'Allah' by the Catholic Herald in its Bahasa Malaysia section.

Zulkifli said Khalid's statements was “an insult against the Agong, who has decreed that Islam and the provisions in the (federal) constitution relating to Islam be respected.”

“It is also a grave insult and (an act of) treason against the Selangor sultan, who had clearly stated that 'Allah' should not be used by non-Muslims, and is outright prohibited in the state of Selangor.”

Recounting the roundtable discussion hosted by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim earlier this week, Zulkifli said Khalid should be aware that most of those present “clearly disagreed with the use of 'Allah' by Christians who believe in the Trinity”.

He said they included former International Islamic University Malaysia rector Kamal Hassan, Islamic Scholars Association president Abdul Ghani Shamsuddin, Malay-based NGO Teras head Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid.

The fact that there are dissenting views - including PAS leaders Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, Salahudin Ayub, Hanipa Maidin and PKR leader Mohd Nor Manuty - only goes to show that no conclusive agreement can be reached on the issue, said Zulkifli.

The PKR parliamentarian went further by stating that Khalid's remarks was an insult against the National Fatwa Council that had decreed that 'Allah' be used solely by Muslims.

“Khalid needs to understand that the ban against the use of 'Allah' by the enactment... of 1988 was done lawfully under Article 11(4) of the Federal Constitution. It was formulated after extensive consultations, discussions, research and debate among Muslim scholars and intellectuals.

“It (similar enactments) exists also in nine other states, except Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Sabah and Sarawak. It is a valid law that is in force. It is not a law that was made up by fools and the ignorant. Muslims are not as foolish and weak as he (Khalid) says they are.

“On the contrary, his arrogance and fanaticism have resulted in him trying to force other people to accept his static and narrow views.”

Zulkifli lamented that Khalid's remarks could have the potential of harming the unity between Muslims and result in tensions between Muslims and non-Muslims.

He can be investigated under four laws

He said Khalid should retract those statements that were insulting of Islam, the Agong and the Selangor sultan “within 24 hours”.

He also told Khalid to apologise to the Muslim community for his “rude and insulting” remarks.

Failing this, Zulkifli contended that Khalid can be investigated under four laws - the 1988 Non-Islamic Religions Enactment, the Syariah Criminal Offences (Selangor) Enactment 1995, the Sedition Act and Section 298A of the Penal Code.

He called on the state Islamic affairs department, police and other enforcement authorities to investigate Khalid and, if found guilty, take action against the Shah Alam MP.

PAS should also should investigate Khalid, particularly his recent remarks, said Zulkifli.

“I recommend that disciplinary action be taken and that he be dismissed from PAS because of his attitude and conduct, which have had adverse effects on the party and led to negative impressions of PAS struggle to uphold Islam.”

Update :

Zul Nordin lodges police report against Khalid Samad

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 23 – The strained relations between Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s (PKR) Kulim Member of Parliament Zulkifli Noordin and PAS’ Shah Alam Member of Parliament Khalid Samad took another twist on Saturday with the former lodging a police report against the latter.