Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar's vitriolic remarks last week regarding a politician has prompted former law minister Zaid Ibrahim to take a stroll down memory lane.

Though the ruler did not mention names, it was obvious that his guns were trained on Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

In a blog posting today, Zaid recounted how he had failed to further his political fortunes when given the chance to address the Umno general assembly in 1993.

Twenty-four years later, the former minister revealed what he had intended to mention in his speech then, but had toned down at the eleventh hour.

"When seized with purpose and conviction, there are moments in life that can change your career significantly. Equally, when you allow such moments to pass you risk being left behind to languish in the lower reaches of power. You then face a long wait for another crest of the wave to carry your dream home - if such an opportunity even comes again. This is what happened to me in 1993.

"The Johor ruler's recent attacks against Mahathir for his political views on the way the country (including Johor) is being run reminds me of events that unfolded in early 1993. This was the year when there was almost a revolution in the Malay attitude towards the rulers," said Zaid.

Although not being an Umno office-bearer at the time, the former minister minister said he landed in the limelight because he backed Mahathir while ministers and Umno supreme council members treaded with caution.

"I have never been shy or afraid of giving my views, if I think it is good for the country. I always believe that in a modern democracy, 'rulers' - whether they inherited or were elected to their roles - must be accountable for their actions. No one is higher than the law. No one can behave as if he were the law,” he added.

Seeking balance

Two days before the Umno general assembly, Zaid said he received word from then cabinet minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that Mahathir wanted him (Zaid) to speak at the event.

Thrilled for having been accorded the honour, the former minister said he immediately went about the task of preparing his speech.

"I summarised what I had been saying, which was the Malay rulers should be grateful to politicians as they had fought to protect their position and privileges. The rulers should also stay away from politics because they should not forget that political tides change.

"They should not get involved in public controversies and smear their own good name by engaging in conduct unbecoming of a monarch, whether in a personal or official capacity. The power of the people is ultimately far greater than their own, no matter how wealthy or powerful they may be,” he added.

However, when the time came for him to address the gathering, Zaid said he suffered from cold feet.

"Suddenly, I was not sure if I should go for the jugular. The lawyer in me wanted some balance.

"With the Umno crowds baying for blood, I felt I should temper my speech a little. I therefore said something like, 'If we want the Malay rulers to be accountable for their actions, I hope the same rule will apply to Umno leaders onstage...'," he added.

'I had been a fool'

Following this, Zaid recalled how there was pin drop silence in the hall, which caused him to panic and cut his speech short.

"It was a disastrous performance from someone not properly schooled in politics.

"A few days later a senior minister told me that I had been a bloody fool - if I had only continued to speak with vigour on the need to curb the powers of the rulers, Mahathir would have probably made me a minister, long before Abdullah eventually did.

"That is how fortune can change your life when you do not seize the moment," he added.

But as a consolation, Zaid said he was still in politics and his view that the monarchy being subservient to the will of the people remained intact.

"I am still able to work with Pakatan Harapan and help Mahathir for the coming election. I am fortunate. I just hope that together, we can produce the desired result," he added.