KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional is not the only coalition plagued with talk that certain members are “jumping ship”.

Now that Barisan has withdrawn its election petition for the Kulim Bandar Baru constituency, there is talk that PKR MP Zulkifli Nordin may be the one “jumping” over to Umno.

PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had also claimed that he had heard of Umno’s overtures towards Zulkifli.

However, the MP, who got into trouble with his party after a stand-off with the Bar Council’s Conversion to Islam forum a few months ago, denied that he is ditching PKR.

“I am still with PKR and I’m constantly in contact with our leader Anwar. I will join any party that allows me the platform to fight for the cause of Islam, even DAP.

“But, except for one hiccup, PKR has posed no obstruction to me in my cause. So, there is no question of jumping ship nor has Umno made any overture towards me” he told reporters Tuesday in the Parliament lobby here.

On his “hiccup”, Zulkifli said he had explained his role to the party’s disciplinary committee and so far there has been no further action against him.

“Maybe I will join Umno as the Deputy Prime Minister. I’ll seriously consider that,” he quipped, asking reporters for a copy of the “application form”.

Zulkifli said he was also grateful that Barisan had decided to withdraw the petition as it was clear that the voters in his constituency had sent a clear signal on their choice.

“Although I have prepared myself to face the petition, I have always been confident that the truth will prevail. It’s now time to look forward and work for the voters in my constituency,” he said.

Earlier, Anwar thanked Barisan for withdrawing the petition, adding that the coalition really had a strong case for winning it.

“However, Barisan may realise that in light of the current political climate, they will not likely win any by-election held now. I heard there are overtures towards Zulkifli but I’m confident that he will not defect,” he said.

source:thestar

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