Constitutional law expert Abdul Aziz Bari has agreed to debate Kulim Bandar Baharu MP Zulkifli Noordin, but only if the latter revokes his "ridiculous" condition that Abdul Aziz apologises to the Selangor sultan.

"If he is sincere, then (debate) without the condition. He hit me first. He started it, and I am a victim. If he is a fair person, then come forward without any ridiculous excuses," Abdul Aziz said.

NONE "Why should there be a condition for me to apologise to the sultan when I don't even know where I went wrong?

"Who is he to ask me to do so? In short, stop dragging in other people, including the sultan."

Yesterday, Zulkifli had joined the bandwagon against Abdul Aziz by challenging the Universiti Islam Antarabangsa lecturer to a debate on constitutional matters. 

Malay dailies Berita Harian and Utusan Malaysia reported the Independent MP as saying yesterday that he is willing to debate the law professor on constitutional matters.

However, Zulkifli told reporters in the Parliament lobby that he would only do this if Abdul Aziz first apologises to the sultan over his statements in reference to the royal decree on the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department search conducted at a dinner at the Damansara Utama Methodist Church compound on Aug 3.

"I am prepared to take on his challenge to debate, wherever he wants. But he needs to do one thing first: Apologise to the Selangor sultan, as the majority (of the people) feels that his statement questioning the decree was rude and insolent," Utusan quoted him as saying.

Multiple challenges

Zulkifli also posed his own challenge to Abdul Aziz - to step down from his academic post and fight it out as a candidate in the next general election.

"I have no qualms and am prepared to face (Abdul) Aziz if he contests in the next general election. He'll soon find out his fate and can then pack up for his hometown of Sabak Bernam," the former PKR parliamentarian boasted.

Responding to this, the professor questioned the "relevance" of the challenge, saying his involvement in academia or politics has nothing to do with the issue.

"The debate is about his accusations about me, that I was supposedly insolent and rude to the sultan," Abdul Aziz said. 

ezam mohd noor at mca function This is not the first time Abdul Aziz has been asked to quit his job in the public institution, with Senator Ezam Mohd Noor ( right ) having  posed the same challenge last week.

Ezam, a former PKR Youth chief, was quoted by Berita Harian as saying that Abdul Aziz is partisan, citing "evidence" that the latter had received royalty for a book written for an institute linked to Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.

"I challenge (Abdul) Aziz to reveal the amount of royalty he received lately for the book written, as the amount is pretty hefty," Ezam had said on Sunday.

On this matter, Abdul Aziz responded that it was "normal" to be paid a royalty for books written.

"This is not a commission or bribe. Did Ezam really say that? My advice to him is to focus on the issue at hand," he said, puzzled that that politicians would attack him at all.

"I've never attacked them, so why are they all so angry with me?"

The academician, who is under probe by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, is taking legal action against Utusan for its reports on the matter.

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