Zaid: Wan Azizah refreshing to listen to, unlike Najib

Former de facto Law Minister impressed by her maiden speech as Opposition Chief in Parliament.

KUALA LUMPUR: Former de facto Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim confessed that he was impressed by Opposition Chief Wan Azizah Wan Ismail’s maiden speech in Parliament and drew a contrast with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak who sounds stale and contrived.

“Not only did she cover all the main areas of national importance, but you could also sense the sincerity of her words,” said Zaid. “Leaders can make all the good speeches they want, especially since they have the resources to get the best speechwriters.”

“But ultimately, what is most important is that our leaders believe what they say and intend to work towards fulfilling their promises.”

If Wan Azizah is to be the Prime Minister-designate, he cautioned, they must declare it with confidence and get everyone to support her. “If there are elements in Pakatan who cannot accept a woman as the Prime Minister, then they should be booted out.”

Wan Azizah, reiterated Zaid, belongs to the category of sincere leaders.” It’s so refreshing to listen to her, very unlike listening to Najib’s speeches, which sound stale and contrived.”

Besides, he said, “it’s getting more stale and the act of defiance from Najib and 1MDB will be bolder. Do what we have to do and let history remember that we tried.”

Wan Azizah, in contrast, spoke of the need for political reform if anything good was to come out of the 11th Malaysia Plan (2016-2020). “I have paraphrased what she said: This means a more fair system of government, one in which the Election Commission understands that the task of delineating constitutional boundaries must be carried out fairly.”

She called for a government that allows for freedom of information and operates along the principle of good governance. “Under such circumstances, a debacle like 1MDB will not be repeated and no one can be detained without trial,” Wan Azizah said, Zaid pointed out.

“Probably Najib will survive but we must do something that’s worth all the trouble instead of demanding sacking of so and so.”

He suggests that someone push for a motion of no confidence against Najib in Parliament. “At least, we know what the Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia thinks of such a motion and what the number two will do,” said Zaid. “If you read what Najib’s fan club is saying, there’s no wrong under his administration since such things – 1MDB – happened before.”

Under the circumstances, Zaid stressed, the Pakatan Rakyat can reconfigure itself, especially after PAS inevitably decides to join Umno and the ulama faction boots all the progressives out of the party in June,” said Zaid. “The coalition must be willing to sit down and stick to the Common Manifesto that Wan Azizah outlined in her speech. They must never make the mistake of 2013, when their line of thinking was ‘Let’s win first and worry about the issues that divide us later’.”

There must be certainty and decisiveness in leadership and a united front, especially on difficult issues, he urged. “This will help convince people that there was indeed an alternative government in waiting. The Pakatan Rakyat must make the people confident in their ability and seriousness about forming a government.”

Pakatan cannot afford to backtrack on the key issues: the Federal Constitution and the democracy it supports are sacrosanct; local government elections can be held to address corruption; academic freedom can reverse the serious education problems that Malaysia faces.

Also, power should be decentralised. For example, said Zaid, the Prime Minister should not also hold the Finance portfolio, and key positions in GLCs should not be given to political allies unless they are truly qualified and deserving. “There’s much that needs to be done. Wan Azizah has made a good start, but it is important that the Pakatan help her to put words into action.”