DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng today slammed his fellow Pakatan Rakyat MP Zulkifli Noordin for bad attitude, putting the latter in the same boat as arch-rival Umno.

anwar ibrahim sodomy allegation saiful bukhari azlan first day in court 070808 lim guan eng "It is very disappointing for him, coming from a multiracial party like PKR to speak at this level," Lim told reporters at the Parliament lobby. "Sometimes we see these remarks are no different from Umno."

Zulkifli, in the doghouse for taking part in a rowdy protest against a recent Bar Council forum to discuss legal issues related to the conversion to Islam, got into more trouble with his opposition colleagues yesterday.

During a parliamentary session, the PKR MP for Kulim had accused Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam) of being a 'racist', claiming that she had tried to portray the Muslims who protested the Bar Council event as aggressive and irrational.

Lim, who is also Penang chief minister, said Zulkifli should be aware that he represented PKR, a multiracial party unlike Umno which accepted only Malay and bumiputera members.

Lim reiterated that Chong was not a racist, otherwise she would not have received so much support from her Malay constituents during the March general election.

Nevertheless he added the DAP would not seek a reprimand from the House. Stressing Pakatan unity, Lim said his party would leave the matter with the PKR leadership.

"There is no point (bringing this up in the House) because I think PKR has taken their stand, and their stand is similar to ours. So there's no point for us to bring it up. Let PKR handle this matter," he said.

'Don't label me as Umno'

Meanwhile, an unrepentant Zulkifli defended his action.

lina joy court hearing palace of justice 300507 zulkifli nordin "Any Muslim would defend their religion, regardless from which party they are from. It is not fair for me to be labeled as Umno for defending my own religion," Zulkifli said when met by reporters later on. "This matter should never be politicised."

The Kulim MP however said his agument with Chong would not affect their relationship in the Pakatan.

"DAP is a mature party. I do not see any fracture that will affect our relationship...but if Lim wants to sit down and talk about this matter with me, I would welcome it," he added.

He also said he protested the Bar Council forum as a member of Lawyers in Defence of Islam (Pembela) and not as a PKR MP. Therefore, the show-cause letter PKR had said wanted to serve on him was not an issue, he added.

"Anwar called me last night, and he also has accepted my explanation that I was there not as a PKR MP, but as a lawyer," Zulkifli said.