KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim told Senator Dr Syed Husin Ali that independent MP Datuk Zulkifli Noordin was willing to give up his Kulim-Bandar Baru seat for RM60,000.

Dr Syed Husin, 76, told the High Court here that Zulkifli came across as “an angel” to the public when he stated he was willing to relinquish his seat.

Questioned by Zulkifli’s lawyer Hasnal Rezua Merican, he said the MP had even stated in his blog that he was willing to relinquish his seat and that it was a small sacrifice to do so.

Dr Syed Husin also alleged Zulkifli had lied when he said he (Dr Syed Husin) represented Anwar in offering him the RM60,000 and that he (Dr Syed Husin) was offered senatorship for quitting as the party deputy president.

“These are total lies,” said Dr Syed Husin.

Dr Syed Husin added that he believed Anwar regarding the RM60,000 allegedly requested by Zulkifli.

“I know Anwar for a long time. He was my student, a detention mate and later my leader. When Anwar told this (request of RM60,000 payment) to me, I believe him,” he said.

Dr Syed Husin said Anwar told him and the PKR political bureau about it prior to April 14, 2008.

He said he did not verify with Zulkifli regarding the alleged payment because he (Dr Syed Husin) was not close with him.

Dr Syed Husin said he had written about the request for payment in his book titled Memoir Perjuangan Politik Syed Husin Ali.

“If it is not the truth, Anwar will not tell the (PKR) political bureau,” he testified in his RM10mil libel suit against Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd and Zulkifli yesterday.

Cross-examined by his lawyer N. Surendran, Dr Syed Husin said Zulkifli had published false allegations against him on Nov 19, last year in his blog under the title “Anjing-Anjing Pencen” (Retired Dogs).

He said Utusan Malaysia and its editor-in-chief Datuk Abdul Aziz Ishak had published a defamatory statement against him in the newspaper on Nov 20 last year under the headline “Zul Nordin nafi dakwaan Syed Husin” (Zul Noordin denies Syed Husin’s claims).

The hearing before High Court Judicial Commissioner Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera continues.

In his lawsuit, Dr Syed Husin is seeking RM10mil in damages, interest, costs and further relief deemed fit.

He is also asking for an injunction to restrain the defendants from further publishing the similar libel or slander against him.

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