INTERVIEW Former de-facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim wants Pakatan Harapan and in particular, PKR to end focusing on trying to free former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, and to instead see how his ideals could be implemented.

Describing Anwar's incarceration for Sodomy II as unfortunate, he nevertheless urged the opposition to move on and work on Anwar's ideals.

“They should talk about his ideas, ideals, struggle, his idea to free Malays of the shackles, of maqasid syariah and his other ideas on Islam.

“Work on this by trying to see that it is implemented, and not only focus on freeing him,” he said.

Zaid said the opposition coalition was concentrating too much on trying to free Anwar.

“This is the unfortunate thing about the opposition, they may not have a leader of Anwar's stature.

“But they should look for a new hero for the opposition,” he said.

The former Kota Bharu MP and former Parti Kita president was talking to Malaysiakini in an interview at his home last Tuesday.

‘Dominant DAP’ just perception

Asked his views on claims DAP is being dominant in the new coalition, which some say was to blame for Pakatan Rakyat’s break-up, Zaid said he does not think so.

“I do not believe the DAP is dominating the opposition. It is such that they are efficient (in the organisation) and are tech savvy.

“The problem is just that the others are not talking when issue arises. You see Lim Guan Eng, Lim Kit Siang Tony Pua talking, and they create this image and seem being upfront.

“The others are seen ‘ lembap ’ (soft, slow) as if, creating the perception that the Chinese are dominating,” he said.

Zaid hopes other parties in the opposition especially newly formed Parti Amanah Negara would be more up front.

He expressed concern that as long as Harapan remains confused in their direction, it would be their Achilles heel.

‘Don’t be another Umno’

Zaid also disagrees with PKR vice-president and secretary-general Rafizi Ramli on the party's focus on allaying “Malay fears”, which he also critiqued at length on his blog yesterday.

He said the Malays are not alone in having fear, but also the other races like the Chinese, the Indians, the Dayak, the Kelabit, the Dusun or Kadazan and others.

While he opined that the new coalition Harapan would get stronger with the newly formed Amanah under Mohamad Sabu and his friends, together with DAP and PKR, they should nevertheless focus on “advanced politics” and not be focused on racial dogma.

“(To) focus on Malay fears solely is wasting time. Since Merdeka, the focus has been on the Malays and this is akin to what Umno is doing.

“What is needed is a change of system to focus on good governance.

“If we focus on the interests or concerns of the Malays, then they (Harapan) will become similar to Umno.

“Focus on giving the best and not play this game. Tell the people that we need to develop the country through good governance, by having good leaders.

By having good governance the community could look forward of having a better transport system, funds spent wisely for the people, focusing on proper development of the rural areas, having better schools and better administration, he said.

He believed the Malays would understand the concept of the importance of having “good governance” as they are no longer stupid.

“The important question for Harapan is, are we going to play this (racial) game?

“They should focus on good governance and I am confident the Malays would understand.

“Work on alleviating the Malay fears this way, and not follow the Umno way,” he said.

The former Umno de-facto law minister’s advice to the opposition coalition is to be confident of the new coalition in facing the rakyat, to be confident of each component party and to believe that good governance is a better solution in allaying such Malay fears.

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