YOURSAY | Anwar's balancing act when it comes to Zahid

 

YOURSAY | ‘Zahid, though facing numerous charges, is innocent until proven guilty.’

Another Anwar interview, another poser on Zahid's graft charges

Kilimanjaro: Just move on (from the issue of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim appointing Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as deputy prime minister). Zahid has cases in court and what is more important is that Zahid (and anyone else in the cabinet/government) should not indulge in corruption from now onwards.

If I look out the window and see PAS and Bersatu there on the prowl, I will immediately join hands with Zahid and Umno, no questions asked, at least until the 16th general election.

For Anwar to move on with the unity government, he should discuss the possibility of a general amnesty for past alleged offenders.

What is very important though is from the date of the unity government taking office there should be zero tolerance towards corruption and the emphasis should be on good governance.

Anwar should also discuss with the rulers to form a special task force to nab those who indulge in racial and religious rhetoric to score political points. Drag them to court and if proven guilty let them rot in jail. We know that they tend to lie.

The rulers are there and some institutions can take care of the official business related to race and religion. Otherwise, these politically religious extremists will destroy this country. We may become another Afghanistan or Pakistan.

Man on the Silver Mountain: Zahid as deputy prime minister has to be seen as pragmatist and political. Pragmatic-wise, he agreed to become deputy prime minister because he wanted it, by him being Umno president and a major component of the unity government.

This has been said a trillion times. Without Zahid, there probably would be no unity government. Thus, Zahid has that leverage.

Sembrong MP Hishammuddin Hussein was not an alternative since he did not support Anwar.

The real reason for the objection to Zahid is politics. It is bad from that aspect since Zahid has an ongoing corruption trial. It is contradictory to the claim of a reform and anti-corruption government.

However, reality-wise, Zahid would not be an obstacle to a clean government, since this is based on transparency. But to reform, Umno will be an obstacle with their race-based politics. That perhaps would sum up the reality of the unity government.

Honestly, I cannot find fault in Anwar’s answers in the Thai PBS interview. Leave former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad alone, and move on.

Zahid as deputy prime minister will not affect governmental policy on transparency and the fight against corruption.

Meaning, if Zahid should commit corruption in this government, he will be dealt with accordingly. Also, Zahid’s court trial should go on uninterrupted without interference from the government.

RR: Anwar is walking on a tightrope. If he utters one wrong word, there goes the unity government into the deep green sea. So he is cautious and talks of political stability.

The court cases that Zahid is facing are a bone of contention, and they should be expedited to avert the anger of the rakyat.

Cogito Ergo Sum: A deputy prime minister facing 47 corruption charges that came into power on an anti-corruption platform, is, to say the least, disingenuous. We are a joke, we insult our friends and our foes are laughing.

As some have pointed out, the prime minister is walking a tightrope. But why make our neighbours laugh at us as they watch him do his balancing act, twisting, turning and dancing to the tune by a crooked piper?

The biggest blow will come when the accused is convicted. Even if one of the 47 charges sticks, it’s game over for Malaysia.

Milshah: Anwar’s appointment of Zahid as the deputy prime minister was supported by some Pakatan Harapan supporters because of the fear of the green wave, the lesser of two evils and innocent until proven guilty.

I was against the decision, and it seems I was proven right by the international media.

Coward: To those who still buy the idea that Zahid's prosecution is persecution, note this, the question from everywhere is about why Anwar got into bed with Zahid, and whether justice will be compromised for political expediency.

Never once did anyone question why Zahid was still charged or why he was charged.

MarioT: For the sake of the country's progress, the unity government was formed. Zahid, though facing numerous charges, is innocent until proven guilty.

Anwar has to be cautious not to be judgemental and should let the court decide on Zahid's fate. In the meantime, we should let the government do its job to bring us out of the doldrums.

Mohd Taib: Nobody seems to understand that it's not Anwar who picked Zahid. It's Zahid who chose and crowned Anwar as the 10th prime minister.

As such, is it wrong for Anwar to make Zahid his DPM? There is a Malay saying: ‘Ada ubi, ada batas; ada budi wajib dibalas’ ( a favour must be reciprocated).

Without Zahid's help, it would have been almost impossible for Anwar to become prime minister. I hope everybody please take note of this inevitable fact!

Lovemalaysia2: I quite understand why Anwar has made Zahid deputy prime minister. You keep your friends close and your enemies even closer. Anwar was in his position once, charged but not convicted, and he must be seen to be free from interfering in the judicial process.

If Zahid is convicted it’s not down to Anwar. If he’s cleared of all charges then Anwar is justified in making him deputy prime minister. - Mkini