Zaid Ibrahim clarifies his relations with PKR: “I have no interest in the internal politics of PKR”
posted by din merican–October 17, 2009
October 16, 2009
Zaid Ibrahim’s Press Statement on sabbatical leave from PKR
Effective today, I will be taking 6 months leave from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR). This means that I will not be attending the political bureau meetings of the party. A letter to that effect has been delivered to the Secretary-General of the party.
I joined PKR because of my interest to try and put together a common policy platform for Pakatan Rakyat (PR). This common poicy framework for the coalition of the 3 parties, PKR, DAP and PAS respectively, are now in the final stages and I expect to submit the policy framework to the leadership of the respective parties next week.
That being said, a lot more work has to be done in understanding the concerns of the members and the rakyat. A lot more work still needs to be done to provide a cohesive foundation for the coalition and this involves meeting various leaders and members of the respective parties parties. With the Pakatan Rakyat Convention due to take place in December 2009, I need time to finalise the policy framework which hopefully will be approved by the leadership of the respective parties.
Lately, there have been reports of the political frictions of the PKR leadership with regards to Sabah and Sarawak and that I was in some way involved. I wish to reiterate that I am not involved. I have been asked by PKR leaders there to meet the members, which I have accepted. Similarly, I have also been invited to meet some leaders of Sarawak in Kuching. I see no sinister motive in these invitations.
I have no interest in the internal politics of PKR, nor of any of the other parties in Pakatan Rakyat. Neither do I aspire to asume a leadership role in PKR. I made this very clear to Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim when I joined the party. I only want to be a facilitator to bring about the realization of a strong, credible and united opposition – an opposition with a strong leadership, sound common policies and structures to be a meaningful alternative to Barisan Nasional (BN). Only a strong united opposition can restore democracy in this country and can provide good policies to the people.
We must move beyond the BN bashing and sloganeering stage. Only clearly defined policies and a united leadership of Pakatan Rakyat can convinve Malaysians that we are a suitable choice for the rakyat. I hope that from my meetings, dialogues and discussions with the members of the 3 parties at all levels, the dream of a united opposition can be realized.
I also refer to the statement by the Prime Minister on 13th October, 2009 about my involvement in money politics when I was in UMNO.
When I was made a minister, one of the first things I did was ask the then Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) to investigate the findings of money politics against me by the UMNO Disciplinary Tribunal. I believe I was framed by UMNO and found the findings of the Tribunal flawed, where basic rules of evidence were ignored. I felt that a Minister should be free of such misconduct, especially when the Governmennt had committed itself to rid corruption in the country. I believe my request was acted upon by the ACA and they commenced investigations. I have not heard of the findings till today.
The Prime Minister should not take jibes at me when it suits him. He should be more interested in the truth. I therefore wish to appeal to him, to instruct the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to complete its investigation and the findings disclosed to the public. I am prepared to face the charges if there is evidence of corrupt practice. But if I am innocent, then the Prime Minister should hold his peace and refrain from making such statements in the future.
Dato Zaid is just a facilitator and a link with DAP and PAS. But if he has ambitions beyond that, then he will have to earn his right to be formally elected to a party position at the appropriate time. Our constitution allows for that. I think Zaid understands.
In the meantime, he remains an ordinary PKR member. As a respected lawyer and a champion of constitutional democracy, he no doubt knows that he must go through the mill, so to speak, before he earns his stripes to be in the top leadership team of PKR. All PKR leaders have had their resolve and commitment tested before they are elected to party office. The process is very transparent and democratic.
The 6-month break will enable Zaid to assess his position and then decide on his political future. In my view, PKR for all its flaws is our best hope for the country because Anwar Ibrahim commands the respect of his PR colleagues. I have reason to believe that to be so, and that was the reason Zaid chose to be with PKR, in stead of PAS or DAP.–Din Merican
dinobeano - October 17, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Deng Xiaoping;
“It doesn’t matter if a cat is black or white, so long as it catches mice.”
The mice = BN.
Three cats = PAS. PKR and DAP.
The rakyat don’t really care, go and catch the mice. Otherwise, the rakyat will brings dogs and all cats will be pounced to death.
tean - October 17, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Since this is the beginning of PR’s foray into East Malaysia they will do well to remember a simple rule : East Malaysia is best governed by East Malaysians. There is no other way.
Isa Manteqi - October 17, 2009 at 2:46 pm
reading zaid ibrahim’s press release , nothing seems amiss . so i guess he should be allowed to go to sabah and sarawak to get his feel for the sense of things from PKR’s state leaders and members over in those 2 states.
i dont see a need for the party HEAD to issue any such directives nor do i see the need for zaid ibrahim to follow any such directive . directives like this is ” infantile behaviour ” if issued .
salmiah hassan - October 17, 2009 at 2:57 pm
A simple message to Zaid.
Do what you think is right. Listen to your own heart and guided by your own mind.
If you have promised to visit people in Sabah and Sarawak, you MUST go. Otherwise you are betraying their trust in you and that is a bad karma.
tean - October 17, 2009 at 4:53 pm
People said Zaid was also guilty of money politics by UMNO. No different from Isa. PKR is like a laundry lah, masok kotor keluar bersih.
Lone Ranger - October 17, 2009 at 7:42 pm
My advice to Zaid Ibrahim
“It is the man in the mirror, stupid!”
Mr Bean - October 17, 2009 at 9:25 pm
“The 6-month break will enable Zaid to assess his position and then decide on his political future.” Din Merican
I suggest Azmin Ali takes the first flight out to Tokyo and seeks the services of Ms. Maria Ozawa. That should calm his nerves somewhat – and don’t forget to take tean along. He is your point man.
Mr Bean - October 17, 2009 at 9:31 pm
“If you have promised to visit people in Sabah and Sarawak, you MUST go. Otherwise you are betraying their trust in you and that is a bad karma.” tean
The guy is in a quandary.
He needs to balance any competing and conflicting interests including that of his own and the party’s. If he is in for the long haul, he should heed the feelers sent out by the party leadership.
Mr Bean - October 17, 2009 at 9:53 pm
“Asshole, this Azmin fella” Ilham
He certainly has one in mind.
Mr Bean - October 17, 2009 at 9:54 pm
It is said that Zaid Ibrahim has personal ambitions. Well …. duh!? Who hasn’t? What is wrong if he has personal ambitions? To one day be Chief Minister, Governor etc.
Mr Bean - October 17, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Zaid Ibrahim has first to learn to be a team player.
Mr Bean - October 17, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Zaid does not need to earn his stripes. He is a known quantity , a voter-getter entity and a popular entity among those voters who have a criminal dislike of UMNO.
PKR cannot operate like a govt body, where you go up the organisational ladder based on seniority or based on when you joined the service. PKR is a political body whose relevance depends on the whims and fancies of voters.At the moment, the whim of the voters is Zaid Ibrahim.
People like Chua Joo Meng and Zaid Ibrahim should be nurtured to be among the familiar. If that requires them to be parachuted to higher positions, so be it, and the rest of the membership should swallow their pride, unless they can demonstrate be vote-getting entities in their own right for the next GE.
At the moment you can count at best less than the fingers on one hand who are vote-getters. Azmin is still an unknown quantity for many. Tian Chua doesn’t come off as a charismatic person to win votes unless we show heaps of photos how he got bashed by the police on the streets in the name of others who are too afraid to go and demonstrate and face the teargas and water cannons.
Wan Azizah has no interest in the rough and tumble of partisan politics,though she will get the sympathy votes. Her daughter is still learning the robes.
Who is left… other than Zaid Ibrahim and a few of the other high profile hoppers from MIC/MCA and UMNO?
If the hate-level for UMNO by voters drops by just 3 % in the next GE, and MCA somehow miraculously is seen as able to stand against the bullying of UMNO in the eyes of the Chinese in three years time, and MIC managesto get rid of all traces of Samy Velu by then, you can be sure more than half of the PKR MPs and ADUNs will be out of the door. This can only be checked if PKR and PR get out of the present deterioration.
I wonder whether PKR or PR have the means to conduct internal polls on the performance and popularity of their MPs and ADUNs as preparation for the next GE? UMNO got it right with Isa Samad, say what you like about the small man. He delivered the goods and that counts heaps.
Now it is a fickled PR, by the next GE it will be a pickled PR, things don’t turn around fast.
Frank - October 17, 2009 at 10:03 pm
Ilham
He meant the internal politickING of PKR.
You got to excuse the bad english of some of our journalists,unless it was written by one of those UMNO-owned papers, then it is written with malicious intent.
Zaid had enough of UMNO’s internal politicking.. so why should he jumped from one fire into the next. They don’t even make into the news in our media for the right reasons.
There are bigger fishes to fry instead of worrying about these wannabe-leaders in PKR.
Frank - October 17, 2009 at 10:24 pm
“It is the man in the mirror, stupid!” Mr Bean
You must see this video Dr. Bean. There is a familar name in it.
tean - October 17, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Hey! This is Saturday over here. The man in the mirror it is.
Mr Bean - October 18, 2009 at 12:03 am
Thanks, tean. This is a damn good video. Pakatan leaders may learn a thing or two from Michael Jackson.
Mr Bean - October 18, 2009 at 12:14 am
Lesso No. 1 from Michael Jackson – from the “Man in the Mirror”
“You can change”
Mr Bean - October 18, 2009 at 4:00 am
Man In The Mirror lyrics
Ooh ooh ooh aah
Gotta make a change
For once in my life
It’s gonna feel real good
Gonna make a difference
Gonna make it right
As I turned up the collar on
A favorite winter coat
This wind is blowin’ my mind
I see the kids in the street
With not enough to eat
Who am I to be blind
Pretending not to see their needs
A summer’s disregard
A broken bottle top
And a one man’s soul
They follow each other
On the wind ya’ know
‘Cause they got nowhere to go
That’s why I want you to know
I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change, yey
Na na na, na na na, na na na na oh ho
I’ve been a victim of
A selfish kinda love
It’s time that I realize
There are some with no home
Not a nickel to loan
Could it be really pretending that they’re not alone
A willow deeply scarred
Somebody’s broken heart
And a washed out dream
(Washed out dream)
They follow the pattern of the wind ya’ see
‘Cause they got no place to be
That’s why I’m starting with me
I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change
I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make that change
I’m starting with the man in the mirror
(Man in the mirror, oh yeah)
I’m asking him to change his ways, yeah
(Change)
No message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make the change
You gotta get it right, while you got the time
‘Cause when you close your heart
(You can’t close your, your mind)
Then you close your mind
(That man, that man, that man)
(That man, that man, that man)
(With the man in the mirror, oh yeah)
(That man you know, that man you know)
(That man you know, that man you know)
I’m asking him to change his ways
(Change)
No message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself then make that change
(Na na na, na na na, na na na na)
Ooh
Oh yeah
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
(Na na na, na na na, na na na na)
Oh no
Oh no, I’m gonna make a change
It’s gonna feel real good
Sure mon
(Change)
Just lift yourself
You know, you got to stop it yourself
(Yeah)
Oh
Make that change
(I gotta make that change today, oh)
(Man in the mirror)
You got to, you got to not let yourself, brother oh
Yeah
You know that
(Make that change)
(I gotta make that make me then make)
You got, you got to move
Sure mon, sure mon
You got to
(Stand up, stand up, stand up)
Make that change
Stand up and lift yourself, now
(Man in the mirror)
Make that change
(Gonna make that change, sure mon)
(Man in the mirror)
You know it, you know it, you know it, you know
(Change)
Make that change
tean - October 18, 2009 at 8:23 am
Listen to this song folks, politicians and all of us.
Listen to this song Zaid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9eniscJIBA&feature=fvw
tean - October 18, 2009 at 8:31 am
FRANK : Good comments, above. However much we supporters of PR may find it unpalatable, it will be better for the country if PR forgets. for the moment, any wish to get to Putrajaya and instead work towards becoming a proper, viable and strong outfit, no matter how long it takes. It will dash many hopes for those in a hurry but the country will be better off.
And East Malaysia? PR should not start there on the wrong foot. East Malaysia is best run by East Malaysians.
Isa Manteqi - October 18, 2009 at 10:31 am
“Man in the Mirror” need not be a man, after all! But the message to Pakatan is still the same “You can change”.
Mr Bean - October 18, 2009 at 11:01 am
Isa Manteqi
I agree with you too. It is not good enough for PR leaders to say they share the same vision and goals without looking at their own immediate footsteps or mis-steps , I would say.
They all say they all agree with the vision to win the war but they don’t seem to have battle plans or rather their battle plans end up shooting at each other, not friendly-fire, but deliberate sabotage of each other.
Perhaps, they should go to some military school and learn some battle tactics. Most of them are corporate CEOs or smalltime businessmen who only know how to wheel and deal behind each other’s back.
As for East Malaysia, what they need, as Din implied, is GUIDED democracy. Leaving them alone on their own is a big risk as the last 40 years had shown since the day they agreed to be part of the great Malaysian experiment. Just look at what happened , as Danildaud pointed out, the 20-point Agreement, the most sacrosanct document in as far as their destiny is concerned, not only became toilet paper, but effectively it was flushed down the toilet the by Kuala Lumpur regime right under the noses of the East Malaysians. And they still couldn’t care less today except to whinge and whine on the internet. GE 2008 was a chance to stand up with BN/UMNO and say enough is enough. But no, it wasn’t enough of BN/UMNO for the East Malaysians.
Frank - October 18, 2009 at 5:04 pm
correction:
“… GE 2008 was a chance to stand up to BN/UMNO and say enough is enough.But no, it wasn’t enough of BN/UMNO for the East Malaysians.”
Frank - October 18, 2009 at 5:20 pm
I dont see how any of you could put a positive spin on Zaid’s sabbatical. It only means that there is too much hindrance and distractions within PKR to allow him to achieve the goal of putting together a common policy platform. It means that there are lots of detractors within PKR. It means that top down command is not working. It means too many loose cannons.
SAD, this is the time Zaid is needed most. His credibility is needed. The PKR leadership got to take out the loose cannons and bring Zaid back to the day to day involvement. Zaid dont need to earn his stripes. He has already earn it amongst many supporters and admirers. To ask him to earn his stripes is simply ignoring the obvious capabilities of this man. So what if he wants to be PM? The supporters of the opposition wants to get rid of UMNO and its corrupt ways. Whether Anwar or Azmin or Zaid dont make no difference to us. What we need is capable leadership, and for the time being, Anwar skills is proven in oratory, but not in leadership.
The real problem seems to be one of structure. PKR is unable to structure its organization by utilizing those resources given to it. Zaid is an invaluable resource, and to let him go on Sabbatical is stupidity at its very best. Common guys, stop ignoring the internal problems of PKR. It must be handled quickly or PKR will topple as UMNO is getting a better understanding of the electorate, and crafting new camouflage to win the coming GE.
It seems so illogical to want to win the war but not select the generals, the lieutenants, and train the troops. But that is exactly where PKR is today, a group of holiday excursionists going to war.
james - October 19, 2009 at 10:56 am
James
Very valid point made.
Frank - October 19, 2009 at 11:52 am
Listening to Zaid talk on Malaysiakini, he says he has “no interest in politicking”. Now what does that mean exactly? Does he mean to say that if, in the event of a Pakatan victory, offered a Ministerial or Chief Ministerial job he would not accept it?
Mr Bean - October 19, 2009 at 6:58 pm
“What is in it for me?” is the question anybody in his position would ask – and it is a legitimate question.
Mr Bean - October 19, 2009 at 6:59 pm
“It seems so illogical to want to win the war but not select the generals, the lieutenants, and train the troops.” James
For a general to command the respect of his men, he must have some battlefield experience. Arm chair generals don’t command the same kind of respect.
I leave the rest to Tok Cik (a retired General). Where is Tok Cik these days? He should take time off from his full time job which is stalking Sharizat and readying his Cooper S for the final thrust, followed by a pincer movement from the flank and then a redeployment.
Mr Bean - October 19, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Hi Mr Bean
“he says he has “no interest in politicking”. Now what does that mean exactly?” -Mr Bean
I thought “no interest in politicking” and “no interest in politics” are two different things Or they mean the same or just nuances. YES?
Frank - October 19, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Zaid Ibrahim in seeking a high moral ground to avoid being drowned by waves of discontent is elitist in his approach. It is time for him to have his legs firmly rooted to the ground.
Mr Bean - October 19, 2009 at 9:48 pm
PR did a good job of denying BN its traditional two thirds majority. Why do we not just accept that it is not yet ready for Putrajaya and that it will take perhaps years before it is.
Isa Manteqi - October 19, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Bean
Yes, the general needs to be field proven. But that is not my point.
What I am trying to get at is this:
PKR needs to put together an organizational structure that can deliver results. It would be beneficial to Anwar’ cause if Zaid is inside this structure. But Zaid has opted for exit. This is a monster of a red flag that somehow PKR members here are blind to. PKR and Zaid are all taking the path of lease resistance. Sure it does not create any pains. But the cancer cells will expand exponentially to the demise of PKR.
Zaid should be brought back. PKR needs the common platform but it will be simply be an intellectual document that will bring the divisions no closer. DAP and PAS only common thread is being in opposition. They otherwise have totally different ideals that cannot mix. A common platform is a futile exercise but a great way of exit. To me, Zaid has exited the opposition. To me, PKR is still a group of holiday excursionists going to war. They will get wiped out.
james - October 20, 2009 at 10:36 am