ZAID IBRAHIM FORGOT A FEW THINGS

Raja Sara Petra

“Who else has resigned on principle as a minister in the country? There has been only me in the history of this country. So what more must I prove?” says Zaid Ibrahim today. Actually, Tun Dr. Ismail Abdul Rahman, who was a Minister in Tunku Abdul Rahman’s government, also resigned on principle. Although poor health was cited as the reason for his resignation, most people know that it was due to his disagreement with the way the country was heading.

Tun Dr Ismail later rejoined the government when Tun Abdul Razak Hussein took over and even became the Deputy Prime Minister. There were also many issues he did not agree with involving the new administration but Tun Razak took Tun Dr Ismail’s advise, unlike Tunku Rahman, who if he had, then probably May 13 could have been avoided.

Zaid Ibrahim also said, “But I am really a serious politician. I am not like Tunku Aziz. I do not badmouth parties that I have left. That is the difference between me and Tunku Aziz.”

Why does Zaid compare himself to Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim? Why not compare himself to other personalities such as Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Anwar Ibrahim, and many more. After all, Tunku Aziz never contested the elections or held public office other than just a party position in DAP.

Anwar condemned Umno after he was kicked out in 1998. He still condemns Umno until today considering that much of what is wrong in Umno and in the country was his doing. Mahathir also condemns Umno and resigned from the party twice, once in 2008 and again in 2016. Tunku Rahman condemned Umno and campaigned against the government in 1990. In fact, both Tunku Rahman and Tun Hussein Onn refused to join Umno Baru and both died outside Umno.