The twisted Umno-BN-like logic of Zaid Ibrahim

PKR vice president Sivarasa Rasiah

Sivarasa Rasiah

I am certainly at a loss to understand Zaid’s campaign strategy as he seems bent on publicly and continuously criticising the party and its leadership (which I must remind he is also part of) instead of strengthening the party, and championing the party’s policies, processes and issues including that of UMNO-BN’s persecution of Anwar.

I view with incredulity Zaid Ibrahim’s latest unkind salvo against Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), which I sometimes think he forgets is the party he currently belongs to and is in running for Deputy President. It is very irresponsible and even malicious for him to suggest that PKR seems to be a one issue party – keen only to champion Anwar Ibrahim and his ongoing trial.

This myth he knows is not true and is something that we normally only hear from UMNO-BN politicians. Over the last decade or so, PKR has grown tremendously and has played a major part in forging the Pakatan Rakyat alliance while espousing its true multi-racial brand of progressive politics, leading to the Pakatan Rakyat’s Common Policy Platform which we believe will pose a strong challenge to the BN in the next general election.

I am further shocked that Zaid has suggested that by defending Anwar, the party is unable to defend the rakyat. Again, very UMNO-BN-like criticism as he knows very well that the party has a good track record in defending the rakyat on various issues concerning civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.

I am sure Zaid is well aware that securing justice for Anwar does not merely mean providing the best legal defence but involves a campaign outside court to expose the Government’s manipulation of key institutions to persecute political opponents. Again, this statement that Anwar has received the best legal defence and therefore there is nothing else to do – certainly seemed very UMNO-BN-like, and certainly
appalling coming from a PKR leader.

The implication of Anwar’s trial if he does not know is that Anwar’s current and previous trials represent all that is wrong with UMNO-BN’s brand of sham democracy – one that enables the government of the day to make use of all the state machinery including the judiciary, police, AG’s Chambers and even hospitals to manufacture false evidence and implicate political opponents.

In case Zaid has forgotten, Anwar has spent six years’ imprisonment on trumped up charges, and is once again facing the same fate. Surely it would be extremely unkind and ungrateful of PKR to suddenly abandon Anwar just when the party is becoming a major political force in the country.

I am certainly at a loss to understand Zaid’s campaign strategy as he seems bent on publicly and continuously criticising the party and its leadership (which I must remind he is also part of) instead of strengthening the party, and championing the party’s policies, processes and issues including that of UMNO-BN’s persecution of Anwar.

Malaysia Chronicle appends below Zaid's statement for readers' convenience

Empowering Keadilan

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Oct 19, 2010

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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.