PKR supreme council member Zaid Ibrahim today warned the party that iron-clad rules alone will not guarantee clean and transparent party elections.

Recollecting his experience with the stringent code of ethics governing Umno party elections, he said:

NONE"As the experience of other parties have proven, the problem with a code of ethics usually lies with the interpretation and application of the rules by those close to the leadership of a party," said Zaid in a blog posting.

The former federal minister (right) contended that a code of ethics no matter how stringent, could not be necessarily fair and transparent for all if it was selectively implemented.

He recounted his suspension for alleged money politics and how former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Isa Samad and Umno Youth head Khairy Jamaluddin were also given the short end of the political stick for the same alleged offence.

"In fact, I know that there are many more in the highest Umno leadership who are guilty of the same crime," claimed Zaid.

‘Open house’ lure

The difference is, he explained, was that these leaders were not subject to the same code of ethics enforced by the party because of their close relationship to top echelon of the party.

Zaid added that he did not want PKR to fall into the same hypocritical trap as Umno when the latter used the code of ethics to discourage 'unwanted' candidates from contesting.

"What is the meaning of competition if those who contest are unable to campaign?"Zaid asked.

More so if it was true that lavish 'open houses' may sway party members. It would be embarrassing if members were to be so easily swayed by food and drink.

Zaid said a code of ethics was not wrong but its implementation should be done without fear of favour.

Zaid’s message comes in light of a PKR announcement recently that a code of ethics would be enforced for those who wanted to contest in the party's upcoming direct elections.