Zaid’s choice
The most powerful impression Zaid Ibrahim has given me was when he attended a gathering among journalists fighting for press freedom, when he was still the minister in the prime minister's department.
By TAY TIAN YAN/Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily
Zaid Ibrahim, who used to be called the "conscience of UMNO," finally joined PKR.
Hopefully he has found a place where he should belong.
Since he left UMNO, he has been hovering between PKR and DAP, while PAS' more liberal faction has also tried to rope him in.
If he joined DAP, he would doubtlessly dilute the Chinese-ness of the party, making it more acceptable to the Malay community.
If he joined PAS, he would also dilute the religious fundamentalism within the party and help win the support of unattached and swing voters as well as non-Muslim communities.
However, PKR needs him more.
PKR presents a very obvious succession problem. Other than Anwar, it's still Anwar, and all the others are at best second tier leaders. While there are good quality people among the new generation party members, it will take some time for them to be groomed into experienced leaders.
Moreover, PKR's image remains drifty and unsubstantial.
Zaid Ibrahim will help fill up that void and strengthen the credibility of the party if he joins in.
Some supporters believe that given Zaid's openness, foresight, incorruption and capability, he could be the best option for the country in the future!
We will leave it to Zaid himself, or the performances of PKR and Pakatan in the future to verify this.
Of course, having failed to implement reforms within the government and opting to fulfill his aspiration outside the government, Zaid is a mirror of the Malaysian politics.
The most powerful impression Zaid Ibrahim has given me was when he attended a gathering among journalists fighting for press freedom, when he was still the minister in the prime minister's department.
The situation at that time was already very tough for him. While he was fighting hard within the government for more openness and the amendment of certain laws restricting freedom, he was jostled aside by the conservatists, and ignored by the moderates.
On that day, he went to the gathering all alone, and delivered a speech that advocated liberalisation.
Noneheless, those attending the gathering had very high expectations. They wanted to hear him announce the abolition or amendment of the ISA, the Printing Presses and Publications Act, as well as the Sedition Act…
Such demands were indeed too hard on him. Zaid wouldn't be able to change anything on his own.
The audience began to boo him, and there were noises attempting to disrupt his speech.
The entire gathering sank into a commotion before long. The puzzled and embarrassed Zaid had to be swiftly driven away.
Perhaps those participants had their own reasons to create the mess; but they were simply overzealous.
Zaid, too, did not do anything wrong. He attended the gathering out of his genuine support for more freedom!
At least he won't have to be embarrassed this way again, now that he is no longer in the government.
