Wong Choon Mei  

KUALA LUMPUR, March 17: PKR is unperturbed by any sort of ‘surprise’ – including possible defections - that Kulim Bandar Baru MP Zulkifli Noordin and his new masters could spring, saying that the temperamental lawmaker’s behavior since his sacking earlier this month only confirmed his nasty and vengeful streak.

“He has to accept the reality that he is no longer part of PKR and Pakatan Rakyat,” PKR strategic director Tian Chua told Harakahdaily.

“According to him, he is an Independent but so far, he has only been going after Pakatan leaders from Anwar to Syed Husin to Wan Azizah. Maybe he thinks this can help him to regain some dignity after his fall, but really, Zul must remember he is an MP and his constituents are watching his behavior.”

Counted on PKR to hold back

Indeed, Zul had badly wanted to turn the tables on his former party for not taking his side over a public quarrel he had with PAS MP for Shah Alam Khalid Samad.

He had counted on PKR to hold its fire following the defections of fellow MPs Zahrain Mohd Hashim of Bayan Baru and Tan Tee Beng of Nibong Tebal.

But Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, the de-facto head of PKR, refused to compromise as Zul’s misconduct had been serious.

Not only did Zul lodge a police report against Khalid, but he intentionally attacked his party and other Pakatan leaders in a bid to cause them maximum embarrassment.

On Tuesday, he told reporters at Parliament that a “surprise” event would soon happen. He declined to give details or say when but “whatever that is to be done must be done when it would cause a big impact.”

Trying to stay in the public eye

As he had previously insisted more Pakatan lawmakers would follow in his suit, his remarks have renewed speculation of the promised “exodus”.

However, Pakatan leaders are unfazed and have accused Zul of trying to prolong publicity for himself.

“We have gone through the worst and we are still standing. Many did not think we would sack Zul but we did and it is a huge relief,” Tian said.

“No matter what happens, it is very difficult for Pakatan to backtrack now. It has chosen to stand up for principles rather than political expediency. So if other lawmakers decided to accept the huge money offers dangled by Umno-BN, we won’t stop them.

“We are very confident the seats will come back to us in the next election and no matter how much Prime Minister Najib Razak spends on these people, they won’t be able to get re-elected because they have already revealed their true colors."