Zaid blogs, asks Najib to articulate his reforms

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 - Maverick politician Datuk Zaid Ibrahim began blogging today, challenging Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to articulate his economic reforms in the upcoming Umno special assembly or in Malay-language newspapers rather than in the English media.

Writing in his myzaidibrahim.wordpress.com blog, the former law minister also cautioned the Prime Minister to watch out for his Umno warlords whom he said were fair-weather and have vested interests

"I want to see Dato Seri Najib make this speech and elaborate further about reforms in Bumiputera policies at the Umno special assembly, for example," wrote Zaid, referring to economic reforms Najib told the Singapore Straits Times on the eve of his official visit today.

Zaid, who quit the Abdullah administration over ISA arrests last year, had earlier this year asked the King not to appoint Najib to replace Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as prime minister.

Najib took office on April 3 while Zaid has said he is considering his next political move.

"It is time he drafts a new map for the future direction of Malaysia and Malaysians. And also a new map for Umno," added Zaid, who once headed Malaysia's largest law partnership named after him.

He noted new prime ministers had always made progressive and liberal announcements, citing former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Abdullah but faltered in implementation.

He said he was not confident of Najib's success to push reforms especially those announced in English newspapers, asking the prime minister to disclose them in Malay-language papers like Utusan Malaysia.

Zaid also hoped Najib was not being overconfident that all Umno warlords are his friends, cautioning him to be careful as "I want to see his reforms succeed."

"He will soon feel the pressure and threays. They are toxic and fierce.

"If Dato Seri Najib is the main warlord now, he should look over his shoulders for his political security," he wrote.

Zaid said Najib should not be afraid that Malays would be angry over economic reforms, adding equitable changes that prioritise those who are in need will not upset anyone especially the Malays.

"The angry are those who benefit and get their pay due to their links to politics and people in power.

"What we want is a PM who is not afraid of old issues and premises that are used to keep the status quo. Those who don't want changes like to frighten as that is they way to keep their influence and power," Zaid said.

In his initial post to start the blog, he noted that many people have said Dr Mahathir is the most popular blogger around.

"That may be true. But we all can be popular. We just have to remember that we use our popularity for the good of all," he added, thanking a few people and services provider Greenpacket for helping him start blogging.