Zaid unfazed by 'alcohol' exposé

By Rahmah Ghazali - Free Malaysia Today

KERLING: The Barisan Nasional has launched personal attacks on PKR candidate Zaid Ibrahim but his friends in the Cabinet need not fear retaliation.
“I won't name those leaders in Umno who had done the same... (drinking alcohol). I'm not like Umno. I'm a human (being), so I think it is better for me (not to retaliate). I know that some of my friends there were womanisers, went to casino and other stuff that other rich people would do.
"But I won't name any of them because I have more pedigree than them and my friends in the Cabinet won't have to worry about that," he told reporters after meeting constituents here.

Although the attacks seemed to have gone overboard, Zaid said he is not "worried or scared".

"Let's just wait for more exposé  ... of what I had done in the past. I don't remember what I did as I am already old. So let's just wait. I have nothing to fear.

"In my life, I never regretted what I did but if I did wrong, then I admit my mistake," he said.

Zaid also dared his accusers to divulge more of his blemished past so he would be "free of baggage" come polling day.

'Up to voters to decide'
The former Umno minister also appeared unfazed by the latest character assassination against him, saying that it is up to the voters to decide.

"My difference with Umno leaders is that I am outspoken. If I did something wrong, I would apologise and repent. The question about winning or losing is up to the people.

"If I did not admit it, that would be considered lying. So it is better for me to admit and be open about it. But if I am honest and I still lose, then that is my fate," said the 59-year-old politician.

Zaid also challenged Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who started the smear campaign, to reveal his (Zaid's) past "because I do not even remember what I did wrong.

"So I hope Muhyiddin could expose a lot of other things about me beginning today until Sunday (the polling day)...

"I have told my family and friends that whatever happens, happens. If they want to embarrass or insult me throughout the campaign week, let it be," he said.

The BN opened fire on Zaid by putting up banners around Hulu Selangor, alleging that he consumes alcohol, which is forbidden in Islam.

This comes in the wake of Muhyiddin's promise to expose Zaid's chequered track record compared to BN's candidate P Kamalanathan's clean slate.

The Hulu Selangor by-election on April 25 is a four-cornered fight between the Kamalanathan, who is the MIC information chief; Zaid, former minister in the prime minister's department when he was in Umno, and two independent candidates.