KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 4 — Former de facto Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim will not be joining any political party despite the intense courting of Pakatan Rakyat parties PKR and DAP.
"I will not join any political party in the near future," he told reporters, saying that he wants his independence for now.
Zaid, who was sacked two days ago from Umno, said today he was a victim of double standards.
"I am shocked at the way I was sacked as I was not asked to show cause. Obviously, in Umno the rules apply only to some and not to others.
"In Umno, some people have made fun of and ridiculed Pak Lah," he said, referring to party president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
"They even make racist remarks. But no action has been taken against them as they are very powerful people, so there are double standards."
Since his resignation from the Cabinet in September, speculation has been rife that he would be joining one of the PR parties.
Last weekend, he was seen attending a DAP dinner and the opening of the PKR annual congress.
These appearances led to his sacking from Umno on Tuesday night.
Zaid also claimed that he was sacked from Umno for his views, and not for attending opposition functions.
"They did not like me or my ideas. They resent my views and accommodating approach," he said.
He hit out at Umno for the "route it is taking now" that is harming racial harmony.
"Umno has become more ethnocentric and communitarian," he said.
He said that there have been many statements such as former Bukit Bendera divison chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail's reference to Chinese Malaysians as "immigrants" and Umno Youth chief hopeful Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir's suggestion to close vernacular schools which were provocative.
"It is as if we do not want unity," he said, adding that Umno needs to look at the past, where it played a major role in achieving independence and forming Malaysia to solve these problems.
"Umno should be the provider, the one who takes care of everyone and has the trust of all communities. That is how we started, that is our achievement," he added.
He said that today, he could not see what Barisan Nasional parties had in common and if the governing coalition fractured, "there will be no economic stability if there is no political or social stability."
He said he would not consider rejoining the party, even if offered, if it continued along this path, doubting that it could change.
"But they have a new leader in March, I may be wrong. I do not want to say never, I am not a soothsayer," he said, referring to deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Razak who has been nominated for the top post in the upcoming party polls without contest.
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