Zaid Ibrahim fumbles on PKR, says Netto

October 21, 2010

Zaid Ibrahim fumbles on PKR, says Terence Netto

COMMENT: This column has espoused the view that the contest for the deputy presidency of PKR is a bridge that’s being crossed too early and that the current choice is a false one.

All that is academic now that the race is off to a start, and all eyes are focused on the outcome of this unique exercise in direct voting of a political party’s principal office-bearers.

But the latest bloviations of Zaid Ibrahim, one of three contestants for the No 2 slot, serve to underscore the contest’s presumption more than its factiousness.

Speaking like he has just emerged from long hibernation, Zaid said in a blog posting (below) that securing justice for Anwar Ibrahim has become the sole struggle of PKR and that it was “unworthy” for it to become a “one-issue party”.

Zaid’s candidacy for the No 2 post was from the start a protest of Anwar’s stultifying control of PKR. But Zaid is fumbling badly with the arguments around which to configure his opposition to that control.

Anwar’s legal problems are emblematic of the UMNO-imposed flaws in our polity. Liberation from those flaws must mean emancipation for our politics and society.  That lawyer Zaid misses this salient point is plenty troubling.

Judiciary used to remove political rival

His contention that Anwar has the best legal team and presumably on those grounds is adequately protected recalls a similar observation in the mid-1970s by former Lord President Suffian Hashim who denounced Harun Idris from the bench, saying that the impugned Selangor menteri besar had no reason to fear due process because he had the best lawyer in town.

Arraigned for corruption, the popular Harun, fast emerging as rival for power in UMNO, was defended by RR Chelliah, arguably the best trial lawyer in town then.

Suffian was credulous about the motive behind the indictment of Harun, an early instance, albeit more genteel, of the misuse of the judicial process to remove a rival for power in UMNO.

Thirteen years later when Salleh Abbas was removed as Lord President, in comparable circumstances of peril to the UMNO supremo, the now-retired Suffian’s publicly expressed dismay was like the regrets of the owner who bolts the barn after the horses had fled the stable.

Zaid Ibrahim’s latest arguments are not calculated to encourage his auditors to be persuaded by the merits of his case that the hand Anwar wields smothers rather than sustains PKR.

Zaid Ibrahim: Empowering PKR

KeADILan needs to be molded into a genuine political force, one that the Rakyat and our coalition partners can rely on to forge a better future. This election is about the future of the party and the nation. But we need to fix ourselves before we can even think about fixing the nation. We need to position ourselves to be leaders in Pakatan Rakyat, to provide a genuine platform for the public and steer the coalition towards winning GE13. Our coalition partners deserve better from us.

Whilst we need to secure justice for Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, there are so many more injustices facing the people of this nation that require our attention. The people are clamouring for economic and social justice and the right to be treated with respect and dignity in accordance with the rule of law. It is unworthy of us to reduce this party as a one-issue party. It is unworthy for those we seek to represent. We are not merely the party of reformasi, but also of reform. My interest is in that future. But this election isn’t about positions and power play. It isn’t about who is next. It is about what is next.

Pemilihan 2010 is both a first for our country and for our party. Every member has a vote, and every vote counts. For the first time in history, the party can choose to elect its leaders on principles and not just on blind loyalty. The party can decide on a candidate based entirely on his or her contributions and commitment.

I believe that our party members are mature enough to evaluate the existing leaders for themselves. I leave my proposal and vision to their judgement because I am confident that this is the way towards real change in our Government.

 I am thankful and grateful for the confidence and support shown by members and party branches through their nominations. It is, after all, for them that I have stood up and spoken out. I do not seek this position for glory. I do it because of the challenges it brings. I do it because of the hard work that still remains. While other candidates harp on their ability to protect Anwar, I believe he has mustered the best legal team to protect him. I, too, care about him and his family, but above all, it is the struggle and interests of the people that is paramount. And I know that the party members will be able to make that distinction.

 The future of Malaysia is inextricably intertwined with the future of our party. We have to stay on course. The people have chosen to trust us. And so, I humbly ask for your faith that we may work together in reclaiming our party’s ideals at this defining moment in history.

Nine Points on How to Revitalise the Party and the Country

–(1) We need to reinvigorate our grassroots. For the success of a political party needs to be measured by its grassroots activities. Our branches are made up of eager and committed individuals but sadly lack the vitality and dynamism due to lack of finances. I am in a position to find solutions in order to enable a more efficient and effective political machinery to support these leaders and their good work. It is crucial that the Cabangs are more energetic and engaged in the party process. It is crucial for party activities to reflect the enthusiasm and drive of the branch leaders. I will encourage membership recruitment; although quality and committed members are more important than numbers. We must discard those who have left the party at heart but merely keep their names on the register. We will actively outline the party’s struggle to maintain focus instead of merely dwelling on the same old issues.

–(2) We must empower our party stalwarts through further democratisation, irrespective of their position. We need to move away from feudalistic politics, we need to decentralise and empower the party branches and state level committees. Those who are closest to the issues and are best equipped to address them. We can no longer afford to assume that the central leadership knows everything. I will work with party members at every level to develop just and sustainable policies for better management.

–(3) We need to extend our membership to those who are able and willing to contribute, without discrimination. The party needs to be more inclusive. Many former members who have been marginalised, or disillusioned, or have just lost interest, need to be welcomed back to the fold. We need to identify members who are capable, to give them the opportunity to take on bigger responsibilities and roles. For we are only as credible as the leaders we put up. They need to be selected based on the most rigorous of standards. They need to be a reflection of the communities they represent. The Sabahans, for example, should be allowed to elect their own chiefs. As should the Sarawakians.

–(4) We need to strive to be the multiracial and multi-religious party that this country needs. That will be our strength. We need to unite members from every colour and creed in this country. That will be a stark contrast to the ruling coalition which has failed to unite the nation after 53 years. We need to seize this opportunity, to demonstrate that we can unite the entire country. I will work tirelessly to extinguish prejudice and suspicion between the various groups, races, and religions.

–(5) We need to move past the divide and rule policy as practised by the present ruling party. It is neither healthy, nor progressive. As a progressive political party, KeADILan can transcend the boundaries of race, religion, and culture in the context of the existing Constitution. This diversity is our strength.  I will promote a model for a political party that is more transparent and democratic. We cannot sap our energies operating in different groups — East Malaysians versus West Malaysians, reformists versus Islamists, Anwaristas and Socialists versus everyone else.

–(6) We need to be consistent in what we say and do. Leaders in both PKR and Pakatan Rakyat must always place the nation’s interest above all else. There needs to be a consensus on what we stand for as a group. As the PR coordinator, I am able to serve this well.

–(7) We need to be clear on where we stand on the rights and liberties of our citizens. We must champion the plight of all Malaysians. I believe that the party should defend the Federal Constitution and seek justice for every ethnic group without fear of being accused of neglecting our own race.

–(8) I will make sure our prize asset, Selangor, will remain strong and free of infighting. I will ensure that Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim will be given all the support needed to achieve electoral success and accelerate developmental activities so that the people will retain PKR and Pakatan Rakyat in Selangor.

–(9) We must, as the opposition, fulfil our central role of providing checks and balances to the current administration. Our primary role is to keep the government of the day accountable. And we can only do so if we convince our rakyat that we have capable leaders in the party. To achieve that, I shall appoint only the best and the brightest to aid us and our Parliamentarians — members of the public, intellectuals, technocrats, people with the ability and the know-how to best aid us. I shall create a formal platform to engage the population. To govern in consultation with the electorate.

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