Zaid says ‘unworthy’ to focus solely on saving Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 – Datuk Zaid Ibrahim asserted today that securing justice for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should not be PKR’s sole struggle as it was “unworthy” to become a “one-issue party”.

The maverick politician, in what appears to be a part of his campaign strategy for the PKR deputy presidency race, wrote in his blog today that the party needed first to fix itself before thinking about fixing the nation.

“Our coalition partners deserve better from us. While we need to secure justice for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, there are so many more injustices facing the people of this nation that require our attention,” he charged.

He added that the party needed to pay attention to those they sought to represent, reminding members that the people were clamouring for economic and social justice and the right to be treated with respect and dignity.

“It is unworthy of us to reduce this party to a one-issue party. It is unworthy for those we seek to represent.

“We are not merely the party of reformasi but also of reform. My interest is in that future,” he said.

The former Umno minister’s latest dig at PKR is one of many criticisms he has been slinging at the party of late.

Zaid (picture) had once warned that PKR would turn into a second Umno if its present pool of leaders were not changed.

He also rejected outright Anwar’s warning to bypass Umno-owned media like Utusan Malaysia and insisted that the paper’s relentless attacks against the PKR de facto leader could have stemmed from the boycott.

He has also made explicit insinuations that supporters of Azmin Ali, his leading contender in the three-way deputy presidency race, were responsible for the hurdles he was facing in his tilt for the number two post.

Already, Zaid has been seen as entering the deputy presidency race alone but his latest judgement on PKR may further widen the growing chasm between himself and the party’s top leadership.

Despite this, Zaid continued to hold his ground today and insisted that his bid for the deputy president’s post was not about positions or power play.

“It isn’t about who is next. It is about what is next,” he said. He reminded members that the party was the first in the country to hold direct elections, pointing out that this meant that every member’s vote counted.

This, Zaid stressed, allowed them to elect leaders based on principles and not just “blind loyalty”.

“While other candidates harp on their ability to protect Anwar, I believe he has mustered the best legal team to protect him.

“I, too, care about him and his family but above all, it is the struggle and interests of the people that is paramount.

“And I know that the party members will be able to make that distinction,” he said.