Zaid's Keadilan Baru draws sniggers: Sure to get instant approval

Dr M formed Umno Baru in 1988 after a tussle with Ku Li

Wong Choon Mei, Malaysia Chronicle

Former FT PKR chief Zaid Ibrahim's threat to form a Keadilan Baru - reminiscent of former premier Mahathir Mohamad's Umno Baru in the 1980s - drew sniggers from Pakatan Rakyat leaders, many of whom have urged Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim not to delay or hold back in giving Zaid the sack.

"We have seen which way the wind was blowing for some time now. The cleansing process may take a little bit longer in PKR, but for Zaid, it will be much faster," PAS MP for Bukit Gantang Nizar Jamaluddin told Malaysia Chronicle.

"We anticipate he will probably get instant approval from Prime Minister Najib Razak to form Keadilan Baru or whatever name he wishes to call it. This is a subtle but sure way to oust Datuk Anwar Ibrahim from within. Such an agenda based on black motives will surely fail."

Self-created issue

At a press conference in Sungai Petani, Kedah the night before, Zaid himself had warned he would set up"Keadilan Baru" if he was fired from PKR.

Zaid - trying hard to stir up interest

Despite growing disaffection and distrust for him within the coalition, party elders have pointed that the PKR polls was ongoing. Any move to sack Zaid might be twisted by his supporters into a fresh attack that Anwar was afraid Zaid might win the deputy presidency rather than long-time vice president Azmin Ali.

Zaid is actually trailing badly in the party polls after losing crucial support from Sabah divisions despite having intensely courted their favor. Malaysiakini's unofficial tally up to the last weekend showed Azmin's overall position at 6,925, while Zaid netted 3,905. Perak PKR chief Mustaffa Kamil Ayub trails far behind with 1,215 votes.

"It is strange that Zaid has created this issue even though none of the PKR leaders have indicated to him that he will be sacked. Yes, there is a lot unhappiness with him both in PKR and Pakatan, but the top PKR leadership itself has not indicated to him," PKR strategic director Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.

Amid growing calls for Zaid's removal, PKR president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has reminded party and coalition members that they must be seen to uphold democracy especially during trying times.

"Firstly we uphold democracy in the party. Therefore, Datuk Zaid can go around the country as he wishes for reasons known to himself. The central election committee is independent to overview whole process and full power has always been given to them to make decisions without limited time frame. The press has been invited to cover the election of the national leadership and they can see for themselves our processes," Wan Azizah told Malaysia Chronicle.

Destroying Pakatan from within

Zaid is a former Umno senator and Law minister before he was sacked from the nationalist party. However, of late, Umno leaders have publicly told him that their door was always open for his return.

A form of merger with existing BN-friendly KB is possible

“I left Umno, I left my minister's post, I left my biggest law firm which brought me a lot of money. I have sacrificed myself, I don't have to brag about it, because I have a long-term political agenda,”Malaysiakini reported Zaid as saying on Wednesday night.

“They said I back down too easily but if there are obstacles in my way, I will back down but it does not mean I will quit.”

Despite his frequent attempts to justify himself, few are impressed and many even see him as a spoilt and pampered braggart - unable to shed deeply-entrenched Umno culture.

There has been red-hot speculation that he and his supporters will exit PKR soon after the election as they will no longer be shielded anymore. He is widely expected to form a "third force" - a new political bloc allegedly funded and sponsored by Mahathir with the aim of destroying Pakatan from within.

Zaid's allies in PKR include Sabah chief Jeffrey Kitingan and scandal-hit businessman Soh Chee Wen. He is also close to Salehuddin Hashim, the former PKR secretary-general, who allegedly brokered the Umno-instigated resignations of several PKR MPs earlier this year, who have since formed the BN-friendly Konsensus Bebas.