Zaid Ibrahim's press statement, 16 October 2009

I joined PKR because of my interest to try and put together a common policy platform for Pakatan Rakyat (PR). This common policy 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.

Zaid Ibrahim

(A) PAKATAN RAKYAT

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 submitted 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 policy 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. 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 at all involved in the leadership issue of PKR Sabah and Sarawak. I have been invited to attend Hari Raya functions and gatherings by PKR leaders 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 assume 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 Barsian 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 Rakayat can convince 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.

(B) Prime Minister’s Statement

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 to 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 Government had committed itself to rid of 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.


comments


Although there have been reports of disagreements within Pakatan Rakyat, they are miles ahead of BN in managing the country. BN leaders are only interested in stealing from the people and their leaders are exemplified by their latest State Assemblyman, who acknowledged being involved in corrupt practices.
What hope do we have for the future generations if BN continues to govern Malaysia?
Right thinking citizens do not have any problem in choosing who they want to govern Malaysia. I believe that when the educated rakyat increases in number, BN will definitely become history.

Whether we like it or not, Pakatan is alive because of Anwar. If not for Anwar, DAP and PAS would not have agreed to coooperate and join PKR to form Pakatan Rakyat as a decent alternative to the despicable UMNO/BN. Even without any of UMNO's underhand and dirty tricks and acts, some members of Pakatan are on a self-destruct mission - e.g. PAS's Hassan Ali's stupid acts in Selangor. The person holding the fragile Pakatan together is Anwar. If Anwar goes, that will be the end of Pakatan.

UMNO is full aware of this fact. That's why they are bent on taking out Anwar. Anwar will be found guilty under Sodomy II and will be put away for good. Najib, Mahathir, Hishamudin, Khairy, etc. have already pledged, short of swearing on the Koran, that Anwar will be prevented from becoming PM and that these crooks will do whatever is necessary to destroy Anwar. If Sodomy II fails to convict Anwar, due to some unforeseen reasons such as a decent judge presiding the case, there will be Sodomy III or other disgusting charges lined up against Anwar - the country is full of Saifuls willing to sell their .... to UMNO for millions. The UMNO crooks (Mahathir, Najib, Hishamudin, etc.) are evil to the core and will not rest until Anwar is destroyed. They know the consequences if Pakatan and Anwar come into power. These crooks' evil deeds and corruption will be exposed and their prentious glory, as in the case of the evil despot Mahathir, will come to an end.

It is clear that Anwar is treading on thin ice and may be taken down any time by UMNO and its servants (Police, the courts, MACC and the AG). Unless there is a second in command, an alternative to Anwar, Pakatan will also go down with Anwar. That second in command must be someone decent, respectable, intelligent and acceptable to all the Rakyat regardless of race or religion. The are only 2 possibilities - Zaid and Nizar. Of the two, Zaid is highly experienced, knows the working of UMNO and would be a formidable opponent for Najib, etc. and hence is right for the number 2 position after Anwar.

Zaid is one of the most decent politicians in the country, an intelligent gentleman who is not afraid to stand up for noble principles and causes. If PKR, as well as DAP and PAS, is not able to take advantage of Zaid, that says a lot their true character. It looks like UMNO-plants in PKR are doing their best to undermine PKR by opposing Zaid. Why? Because, PKR/Pakatan stand a chance to be a viable and respected alternative to UMNO/BN with Zaid as one of the key leaders and a possible alternative to Anwar to lead the nation when PK wins the GE. The best way to destroy Pakatan and PKR is to make sure that good decent leaders such as Zaid are not allowed to rise. The UMNO-plants and allies in PKR , PAS and DAP are determined to sideline Zaid because, should anything happen to Anwar, Zaid is the only other leader in Pakatan who can lead the coalition to win in the next GE. The best way to kill Pakatan is to prevent Zaid from becoming the second in command and an alternative to Anwar. It looks like the evil plan of UMNO is succeeding through its moles in Pakatan.

With Zaid as number 2, Nizar will make a good number 3. Unfortunately, there is no one in DAP who has the same appeal as Anwar, Zaid and Nizar across all the races and across the country. Lim Guan Eng and Ramasamy, as the most distinguished DAP politicians currently, could therefore be no. 4 and 5 respectively in the Pakatan leadership lineup. It is imperative for Pakatan to come up with a leadership and succession plan so that, should something happen to Anwar, Pakatan will not disappear. The following leadership plan is therefore being proposed (pls vote as appropriate to show your approval/disapproval):

Proposed Pakatan Rakyat Top Leadership to form the next Malayian Govt.
1.Tuan guru nik abdul aziz
2. Anwar Ibrahim
3. Zaid Ibrahim
4. Nizar Jamaludin
5. Lim Guan Eng
6. Ramasamy