Zaid: Time to name a People’s PM
Former minister calls for National People’s Congress to reawaken People Power.
(Free Malaysia Today) – Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim has called for a National People’s Congress to convene this year to reawaken People’s Power in order to change the government with a new people’s choice to be prime minister.
Zaid said the opposition parties were currently leaderless and directionless and unable to unseat Najib Razak, although he had failed miserably as prime minister and finance minister and caused more oppression in the country.
Without a clear alternative to Najib in sight, it was time for the people to choose a PM-designate for the next general election, which must be held by 2018, Zaid wrote in his blog today.
Zaid proposed Umno veteran and former finance minister Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah as his preferred choice, but there were others who could be considered, as long as the movement came together in support of the chosen candidate.
The former law minister said he would raise the suggestion of the National People’s Congress at a public forum on May 23 to be attended by associate professor Azmi Sharom; former Selangor menteri besar Muhammad Muhammad Taib; a former deputy finance minister, Afifuddin Omar; and Raub MP Mohamad Ariff “Sakmongkol” Sabri of the DAP.
“It’s wishful thinking that Umno will replace Najib with someone else,” Zaid said. Umno could only bring “another kleptomaniac” in power without any fundamental and structural reform, as this would end the gravy train and Umno would not let that happen.
Zaid said Najib would use his “You help me and I’ll help you” approach, or “Gua tolong lu kalau lu tolong gua” stance, to secure support from Umno bigwigs. “I do not see from Muhyiddin’s face and demeanour that he is willing to take Najib on.”
Without a clear alternative prime minister at hand, it was time for the people at large to decide. “We the people, together with the political parties, must decide who that PM-designate should be. A National Congress of the People must be convened before year-end for this purpose.”
