|
By Deborah Loh, The Nut Graph Former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, who was sacked from Umno on 2 Dec, says he is not joining any political party "in the near future" but will concentrate on building his foundation for youths.
At a press conference this morning, he said he was not surprised by his sacking and that Umno has no regard for natural justice by not giving him a fair hearing. Zaid was issued a show cause letter by Umno for writing an open letter to the prime minister and for meeting with opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) to repeal the Internal Security Act (ISA). He recently came under fire for attending the DAP victory dinner on 28 Nov, and the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) congress the next day. Earlier, his remarks on ketuanan Melayu also raised the ire of several Umno leaders, who demanded that he apologise. Zaid, however, refused. "I did not do all that to invite expulsion. I think they expelled me because of my ideas. They resented my more accommodating approach," Zaid told reporters today. He also questioned the manner in which he was sacked from Umno. "I have not been given the opportunity to be heard and neither am I aware of any specific violation I had committed," he said. "I did not attend the DAP's dinner or PKR's congress to provoke anyone. I was there to listen on the invitation of friends. "But that's Umno for you. They see provocation and enemies everywhere," he said. "I could take them to court but it would be a hollow victory because when people don't want you anymore, what's the point?" Zaid, who has been in Umno for over 23 years, said his one regret is that Umno has misunderstood his stand on helping the Malays. "I believe that Umno and the government must provide guidance and support to the bumiputera on the basis of needs and merit. It is important that the Malays have the right values to be successful. "This unfortunately has been construed as betraying the race and abandoning the cause of the party's struggle," he said. The former Kota Baru MP was appointed a senator by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on 18 March and made Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, in charge of legal affairs and the judiciary. During his tenure, he tried to spearhead judicial reform, but found little support among his colleagues in the cabinet. He resigned as minister on 15 Sept over the use of the ISA to detain blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok and Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng on 12 Sept. Tan, Kok and Raja Petra have since been released. Since Zaid was sacked, Pakatan Rakyat parties have said they would welcome him to join them. On 3 Dec, Opposition Leader and PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Pakatan Rakyat was comfortable with Zaid's principles. He described Zaid as someone who is stern in opposing laws that are contrary to human rights, including the ISA. "We welcome him. It's his choice to discuss with PKR, DAP and PAS leaders. We are comfortable because we have seen him steadfast in defending the principles of human rights and being very committed in his position and stand against the ISA," Anwar said.
 |
The Blogs 
Datuk Zaid, are you trying to tell me that this UMNO similar with those Triad Members or Kongsi Gelap members?
