Lawyer Zulkifli Noordin may have no intention of deserting Anwar Ibrahim in his hour of need, but developments at the Kuala Lumpur Syariah High Court may decide otherwise in the matter of the qazaf (false accusation) application.

zulkifli noordin Although sacked as a PKR member last Saturday, Zulkifli (left ) had said he intends to continue representing Anwar in the case. The court has fixed tomorrow for further submissions for Anwar’s affidavit-in-reply to the three respondents.

Court officials told Malaysiakini that the respondents have raised an objection to Zulkifli's continued involvement on the ground of potential conflict of interest.

Zulkifli, the Kulim Bandar Baru MP, was said to have asked a question in Parliament on the qazaf matter, which is related to the sodomy complaint against Anwar by his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.            

This has made the situation a sticky one for Anwar, who may decide to drop Zulkifli from the team so that the application can be heard.

“Zulkifli may be removed from the team following the objection,” said a source familiar with the case.

Anwar filed his application on July 9, 2008 with the Federal Territories Islamic Affairs Department, to get FT Syariah public prosecutor to charge Saiful with qazaf .

che mat che ali He named FT religious department head Che Mat Che Ali ( right ) and the minister in charge of religious affairs Jamil Khir Baharom as respondents.

Anwar further urged the court to instruct Che Mat and Jamil not "to stop or influence" the chief public prosecutor from carrying out his duties in prosecuting Saiful.

The other lawyers in Anwar's team are Kamar Ainiah Kamaruddin, and Dr Rafie Shafie.

Zulkifli is no stranger to controversy inside and outside court. He had represented Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri in the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder trial, only to be removed before the start of the hearing.

When told he would not be representing Azilah, Zulkifli alleged interference in the case and said he could no longer act for the accused. Lawyer and former DPP Mohd Hazman Ahmad then replaced Zulkifli.

Gerak extends invitation

In another development, Zulkifli has received an invitation from Anti-Corruption Movement (or Gerak) to join the organisation.

Speaking to Malaysiakini earlier, Zulkifli had said there is no question of him applying to join PAS, since reservations had been expressed by three vice-presidents - Mahfuz Omar ( below ), Salahuddin Ayub and Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Mat.

mahfuz omar pas ceramah in penanti 270509 Similar views were expressed by PAS central committee member Mohamed Hanipa Maidin and Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli.

Zulkifli was sacked by PKR after a panel found that he had violated discipline by lodging a police report against Pakatan Rakyat ally Khalid Samad, and for making stinging comments against the opposition coalition on a television show.

He has since been embroiled in an exchange of words with Anwar’s wife and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

 

UPDATE: Zulkifli said on his website late today that he had sent a letter to Federal Territory Syariah High Court registrar that he would withdraw from representing Anwar in the case.