Zaid tells PAS not to emulate Umno

KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 — Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, the ex-Umno minister who has become a leading and influential voice for Pakatan Rakyat (PR) supporters, has warned PAS against over-confidence or else the fledgling coalition could end up being just another version of the Umno-dominated Barisan Nasional (BN).

The former de facto law minister says that the three PR components are only strong because of the partnership and they should avoid tussling for dominance or risk becoming like BN whom he described as being unable to adapt to the current political landscape.

Zaid, whose resignation from the Cabinet and subsequent sacking from Umno has made him an icon for the opposition, said that PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang had ignored the feelings of the party’s spiritual advisor Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat and other leaders who had opposed a unity government with Umno.

“Without hesitation, he defended the unity talks with such confidence. But for me, Hadi has become over-confident,” Zaid wrote in a blog posting today.

He applauded the ambition of the party in its plans to build an RM27 million complex in Putrajaya, penetrate East Malaysia and accepting non-Muslims as members.

But he said that if any one party dominated PR, then it would emulate the culture within BN, where the direction was decided only by Umno.

“That is why they have problems finding a new formula. To change, we need to accept different views from our partners.

“Pakatan does not need a dominant party. No party in Pakatan can beat their chest and say they are strong even if they stood alone. Let them be humble and accept that they are all equal and need each other,” he said.

The PR alliance was formed last year after the three parties won a combined 81 seats and five states in the general elections.

But PAS has trumpeted Hadi as their prime minister-elect and the continued talk of forming a unity government with BN has caused tension within the ranks of all three parties.

Both PKR and DAP are firmly against such a move and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng today insisted that PAS must explain itself on the matter. (TMI)