By G. Manimaran (Malaysian Insider)

HULU SELANGOR, 19 April — Kulim-Bandar Baru MP Zulkifli Noordin today denied he will get involved in Barisan Nasional’s campaign in the Hulu Selangor by-election, saying he wanted to maintain his independence.
Zulkifli told The Malaysian Insider that he will not be in the country for the Hulu Selangor by-election, and therefore the question of whether or not he will campaign should not arise.
[Zul Noordin insists that he will not campaign for anyone in the Hulu Selangor by-election. – Picture by Jack Ooi]
Zul Noordin insists that he will not campaign for anyone in the Hulu Selangor by-election. – Picture by Jack Ooi
“I have specifically, and categorically informed you personally, and in no uncertain terms, when you called me before my departure to the US that I will not be involved and go to the ground in the Hulu Selangor by-election for either BN or PR as I would be away for overseas working trip in the US and the Emirates, and will not be back until earliest April 25,” he said in a statement to The Malaysian Insider today.
Zulkifli, who is currently in New York, was sacked by PKR last month.
The Malaysian Insider reported earlier today that three MPs — Datuk Ibrahim Ali of Pasir Mas, Datuk Zahrain Hashim of Bayan Baru and Zulkifli — will help the Umno-BN campaign.
Ibrahim confirmed that he will be holding a public rally on Friday in addition to joining the Hulu Selangor Patriotic Youth Assembly tomorrow.
Zulkifli had said before that he will not participate in such activities due to his busy schedule, which will include a visit to Washington DC.
“I have personally informed you that I want to remain independent and be seen independent, so there is no question of me campaigning for BN or PR for that matter,” he said.
“I have personally informed you that even if I am in Malaysia I will still not involve myself with the by-election to support BN, let alone PR,” Zulkifli said.
“I have personally informed you that if I were to make any comments over the by-election, it will be on my own independent assessment and nothing else,” he added.