Zaid Ibrahim has alluded to the alleged internal strife between PKR leaders with regard to a scathing letter by Anwar Ibrahim on the Citizens' Declaration and the dangers of working with Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

However, the ex-law minister conceded that he could not pinpoint the exact reason which prompted the jailed former opposition leader to pen the eight-page letter.

"I do not know what had transpired,” he told Malaysiakini.

“Probably due to (the) internal fight between (Selangor Menteri Besar) Azmin Ali’s faction and (PKR president) Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

“I am unable to help you here," he said, refusing to elaborate on the matter when pressed.

Zaid also plays an instrumental role in the Citizens’ Declaration and often defended Mahathir, urging the latter’s detractors to set aside differences for a common objective.

Following the exposure of the letter yesterday, there have been mixed reactions from PKR leaders indicating that not all are on the same page on this issue.

PKR vice-president Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin, who yesterday denied the letter, this morning claimed that Anwar did not forbid PKR from working with Mahathir.

Pointing out that Anwar had merely asked them to exercise caution, he likened the scenario to driving on a dangerous road, which must be done with care.

Taking a different route, another vice-president, Rafizi Ramli, who yesterday confirmed the authenticity of the letter, described it as a timely reminder to PKR leaders not to get carried away with Mahathir and return to championing core issues.

Meanwhile, Wan Azizah chose to remain tightlipped on her husband’s letter on the grounds that it was an internal party issue.

She was also quick to cut a reporter midway during her question on whether action would be taken against Azmin, saying, “Don't put words in my mouth.”

There has been protracted speculation about a rift in PKR, but this has never been publicly acknowledged or confirmed, though it is often mentioned in private.

In his letter, Anwar denounced the Citizens’ Declaration as being a Mahathir document in principle, not in line with the reform agenda, and warned PKR leaders against being exploited to serve the agendas of the power elites who aim to retain the outdated system.

He also lamented that the idealism which had given birth to PKR has now diminished in the lustre of positions and funds as well as how certain leaders appeared to be in awe of Mahathir.

Apart from this, he surmised that it was naive to believe that reform could be instituted with the removal of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak alone.

The main thrust of the Citizens' Declaration is to press for Najib’s resignation over the allegations of mismanagement and corruption.

However, the prime minister has denied the allegations, and blamed them on those conspiring to topple him from power for their personal agendas.

With regard to Mahathir, Najib's supporters have accused the former premier of attempting to engineer the political ascension of his son.

The Citizens’ Declaration brought together opposition and civil society leaders, who were once staunch critics of Mahathir and often accused him of the same misdeeds as the current prime minister.