December 19, 2009
Pakatan Rakyat’s Common Policy Framework is a project of national liberation, says Zaid Ibrahim
by Terence Netto
Zaid Ibrahim, Pakatan Rakyat’s policy coordinator, described the launch of the coalition’s Common Policy Framework(CPF) as the vital first stage of a project of national liberation.
“Today we take one decisive, deliberate and historic step to free our country from the consequences of BN misrule,” said Zaid when it came to his turn to speak at the coalition’s historic inaugural convention.
“This step is our joint agreement to a Common Policy Framework (CPF). This is our compass. This is our guiding light. This is what distinguishes us from our opponents. We must steer by this compass to arrive at our destination – which is no less and no more than the liberation of Malaysia,” he asserted in ringing tones.
Calling BN rule “a pestilence”, Zaid said the CPF was Pakatan’s path to the hearts and minds of Malaysians.
“We want them to back us so that we can check the downward spiral of this nation. We have not only to check, we have to reverse the slide and restore this nation to the fullness of its promises at its founding in 1957 and at its enlargement in 1963,” he elaborated.
Zaid, who is the CPF’s chief architect, said the BN appears to believe that Pakatan’s success at the last general 
election was temporary, a one-election wonder.
In addition, he said BN seems to believe that if they can clean up their act, change their captain, and rebrand their image, the ruling coalition would be back to its strength of old. But Zaid, a former UMNO minister, held that BN cannot change.
“True, it has changed its captain. He is like a magician come to do conjuring tricks at a children’s party. But the biggest trick that he must do is that of his own disappearance. That he has to do, but he cannot do. And that is the reason why the BN cannot change.
“It has a skipper that must bring about his own disappearance for change to have any meaning. There’s one thing the BN has deeply entrenched in its culture: the art of self-preservation.
“That culture reigns supreme in the BN. Once a BN leader gains the seat of paramount authority, it will take a political tsunami to dislodge him, which occurred to (former premier) Abdullah Badawi,” opined Zaid.
Don’t rely on BN’s failures to win power
Zaid said Pakatan should not depend on the expected failure of BN to convince voters to put them in charge at Putrajaya. He said the CPF was Pakatan’s reply to BN doubts about the opposition coalition’s staying power.
“Our second response would be when the CPF is matched with deeds by Pakatan governments in the states we rule,” he claimed. He said the matching of deed to policy would combine with a unstoppable flow of revelations of BN corruption to convince voters that they must finally rid Malaysia of the plague of BN rule.
Din Merican: the Malaysian DJ Blogger 
Most distractors are eating humble pie at the momment. They did not think it was possible for 3 idealogically different parties to stick togather for close to 2years and to now culminate in adopting a Common Policy Framework. Clearly, this shows the maturity of the leaders to find common grounds and move forward with bigger agenda to heal our beloved nation from the crippling cancer that has been inflicted by UMNO/BN over the 52years. Kudos to Zaid Ibrahim also for the excellent initiative.
This statement from Dato Zaid Ibrahim is timely. like a breathe of fresh air !
It reinvigorates PR’s commitment to its cause, strengthened its resolve and most importantly it shows that it remains focus in its sense of direction !
While both the macro and micro dynamics deserve equal attention and emphasis to bring about the necessary changes to improve the state of the nation, it is also important for PR to show how all the dots connect to form the big picture – that as long as we all, big or small fish, swim in the same pond , our destinies are interlinked !
It is important that the rakyat understands that because of the deep rut we are in, even though it is an uphill battle to put the country back on its development track that all issues have to b, and will be addressed – both indirect and immediate issues.
All issues big or small are equally important and will be addressed – from eradicating corruption, poverty,improving the judiciary,health care,housing etc to making the streets safe,providing quality and affordable public transport, overhaul the toll system, a more sensible taxation ( ditch GST),fuel subsidies,price of basic commodities etc.
PR is once again SAYING all the right things and one must wish them well – although I, for one, do not see THE most critical issue being discussed i.e. PAS’s Islamic Agenda. Perhaps this is being done behind closed doors. It better be, because it happens to be PR’s weakest link.