Zaid wants Amanah to adopt 'Pakatan issues'

Former PKR leader-turned-Parti Kita chief Zaid Ibrahim has softened his position towards Pakatan Rakyat and suggested that the newly set-up NGO led by Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah adopt some issues promoted by the opposition coalition.

Razaleigh (right), who is Gua Musang member of parliament, launched Angkatan Amanah Merdeka last Friday with the aim of reviving and promoting the ideas of Malaysia's first premier Tunku Abdul Rahman relating to multiracialism, democracy and the rule of law.

Responding to the initiative, Zaid expressed confidence that the NGO would be "pragmatic" in its approach.

"This is why I was somewhat surprised that its promoters did not endorse the Pakatan platform, at least on substantive issues," he said in posting on Kita's website.

Endorsing several of the opposition platforms would help them gain strength among the public, the politician added.

Supporting Pakatan, however, does not mean all of its policies and leaders should be embraced.

"But making Pakatan stronger will transform the political dynamic, which hopefully will bring some positive changes,” said Zaid.

Notwithstanding talk that Amanah is merely another platform for the Umno Gua Musang division chief 's ambitions for the position of premier - or suggestions that it would remain ineffectivly on the fence - Zaid said he thinks Amanah is an earnest effort.

"Some say it’s his way of keeping his hopes of becoming the next PM alive. Others are less kind, and say he is clutching at straws to keep himself relevant at a time when his influence within Umno is fast receding," said Zaid.

"I am inclined to to see the action of Amanah’s promoters as noble and sincere. They want to remind people that we must not abandon the principles upon which this nation was founded," he added.

Umno reform through 'power struggle'

He also urged Razaleigh to be  more forthcoming as to how he sees himself effecting change through Umno, which Zaid believed would only come about as a result of a "power struggle" within the Malay-based party.

"My own assessment is that the change in Umno will only happen at the politburo level, through a power struggle. The top leaders may change but the party remains the same," Zaid, a former law minister before he joined PKR.

"So it’s unlikely that Amanah can make any difference from within.

"Will Razaleigh say enough is enough to Umno? I, too, doubt that will happen."

Zaid implored Razaleigh to be clear, "explicit and direct" about the NGO's plans and intentions.

"In this country, there is no middle path that one can take and still hope to make an electoral impact," Zaid said.

"This is necessary, especially if one is looking at effecting a political transformation. One is either with BN or with Pakatan Rakyat."