THE NUTGRAPH: MP WATCH

Name: ZULKIFLI BIN NOORDIN
Constituency: P. 18 – KULIM BANDAR BHARU
Party: Independent
Years as MP: 2008-present
Government position: None
Party position: None
Membership in parliamentary committees or caucus: AIPA
Blog/Website: Facebook – http://www.zul4kulim.blogspot/;
Original deadline: - none -Responses submitted:

Would you support the abolition/review of the Internal Security Act (ISA), in particular the provision that allows for detention without trial?

The ISA must be abolished. Detention without trial goes against the very tenet of Islamic justice, and every grain of universal principles of justice, human rights and dignity. I have personally experience being detained together with Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim in 1998 under this draconian act and there is nothing positive to be said about it. In fact I would suggest the abolition of other draconian act like the Printing & Publication Act, Official Secret Act and the like of it. Although I have to admit that there is a need for a stringent law to combat the act of subversive and terrorism, ISA is not the way to do it. We can enact new laws to confront this element of subversive and terrorism, without sacrificing Islamic justice, human rights and dignity.

Do you think Malaysia should be a secular or an Islamic state? Why?

I think the current constitutional framework where Islam being the official state religion with all the special positions accorded to Islam, with other religious belief and practices guaranteed is sufficient. We are neither Islamic nor secular state. It is the mutual respect and tolerant attitude towards each others religion that has been the hallmark and recipe of success and peace enjoyed by us in this beloved country all these years, until the birth of some religious bigots and zealots, including some atheist which cause the big problem faced by us today. It is their sick mentality and attitude that we need to address.
However as a Muslim, I have to be frank that with all honesty, if I were to have my way, I would definitely implement Islamic laws in all sphere of administration of justice; that includes but not limited to the implementation of Islamic criminal law. You have to understand that as a Muslim, it is our religious duty and responsibility to live by our own law, which was taken away by the colonial power without our consent. Any Muslim worth his salt would want that Islamic life back, and I for one will use all my utmost abilities to do so. I would rather die trying than live lying idle.

How do you define your role as an elected MP? Does Parliament provide you with the necessary infrastructure and support to fulfill your role?

I sincerely believe that our role as Member of Parliament is to lay the foundation and formulate good policies and good governance for the country and its people, including representing concerns and issues of my constituents. It is also my responsibility as a Muslim MP to convince the people especially Muslim that implementing Islamic justice and administrative system will bring positive development to the people and the country, regardless of religion, race and bakground. But we will do so without sacrificing or alienating the rights of other religion and beliefs. And we have to find ways to overcome those problems relating to inter-religious problem that has been the thorn to the very fabric of our society. I have said so before and I will say it again, that Islam has all the tenets of a democracy, but democracy doesn't have all tenets of Islam.
However, as far as our current democratic principles are concerned, the ideal principles seems to be near impossible as the doctrine of separation of powers enshrined in all genuine democracy is not present here. The executive seems to be in total, if not absolute control. The government backbenchers are nothing but mere yes-man who will be more than willing to rubber stamp anything. The ministers are too busy with their own politicking, and we the opposition have no control over the sitting of Parliament.
Hence, Parliament today is sadly a place of the elite with suits and ties having a nice time shouting at each other in the dewan, and having tehtarik after sitting outside the dewan.

Would you support a Freedom of Information Act? Why or why not?

Definitely I would fully support the freedom of information and freedom of speech and expression. In fact, Islamic principles begin with the command to say "Iqro" ie "read" says ALLAH. And the revelation of Al Quran is the very foundation of Muslim belief to freedom of expression, because bofore the Quranic revelation, peoples knowledge of God and human existence is almost nil!
Free access to information should be the rule rather than the exception. This is to prove our commitment to the principle that the people are entitled to information, so that they can make well informed decision; which is in line with the slogan "Rakyat Didahulukan" or “Ketuanan Rakyat”.

If there was one thing you could do to strengthen parliamentary democracy in Malaysia, what would it be?

We should have an independent, impartial and non-political Speakers and Deputy Speakers, may be ex-judges or people of the same integrity and credibility. I am not saying that we do not have one at the moment, I believe Tan Sri Pandikar is doing all that he could to uphold the dignity and sanctity of the Dewan. But there is room for improvement. This is because at the end of the day, a strong, independent, impartial and non-political Speakers will be able to carry out his constitutional and democratic duties without fear or favor. We also need to have allocations for office, researchers and sufficient logistic budget to be an effective Parliamentarian.

Do you believe in separation of powers between the government, Parliament and judiciary? Why or why not?

This principle goes without saying. It is the very basic tenet of Islamic justice. It is the hall mark of any good democracy. But I believe this is what is absence in our system of government today. And we in Pakatan are striving hard to achieve this ideal principle of governance. Good governance can only be achieved when there is an effective check and balance. And the separation of powers between the three pillars of government can provide that check and balance.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,

Zulkifli Bin Noordin
Member of Parliament, Kulim Bandar Bharu

Jumaat

26 Rabi'ul Awal 1431

12 Mac 2010

*Nota: ini adalah pendirian yang saya nyatakan kepada 6 persoalan yang dikemukakan oleh media portal The Nutgraph yang mengemukakannya kepada kesemua Ahli Parlimen. Ianya saya hantarkan pada hari ini dan akan disiarkan oleh The Nutgraph mengikut jadual mereka sendiri. Adios