KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has withdrawn from the race for Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) deputy presidency and quit all party posts, describing the party as being hypocritical and having false values.
In a statement posted on his blog, Zaid said he made the decision because there was no attempt by the party leadership “to address the various issues of manipulation and unfair electoral practices, although these issues were raised repeatedly.”
“Over the course of the party elections, events have shown that the leadership actively condones malpractices and electoral fraud to achieve its designed objectives.
“I am certain that any political party with such hypocritical and false values will not be able to offer meaningful reforms to the people of this country,” Zaid said.
The former Minister in Prime Minister’s Department said that it was of utmost disappointment that he was unable to continue in “this flawed election process”.
Zaid said that he was offered to join PKR “under the belief that I could promote enlightened and progressive politics, nurture and develop principled political values and culture that I consider indispensable to the development of democracy and good governance in this country.”
“I was mistaken,” he added.
Zaid however said that he would remain committed to the opposition’s cause and would continue to speak “about the issues of the common people.”
“Finally, I hope those adoring fans of Anwar Ibrahim will no longer regard me as a ‘spoiler’ standing in the way of their march to Putrajaya. I wish them well,” he said.
With Zaid’s decision, the deputy president’s race is now narrowed to between Azmin Ali and Mustaffa Kamil Ayub.
Zaid’s announcement came amid claims that ballot papers for the party’s elections were being sold, a claim refuted by PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
In his immediate reaction, PKR deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali said Zaid was still a party member.
“So far we have not received any letters from Zaid about his resignation. What we have now is his blog entry. He is still a PKR member until he decides otherwise,” he told Bernama.
Syed Husin said Zaid was entitled to his own decision and that the party had no power to stop him.
He also said that Zaid’s decision was expected based on his statements lately.
PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he had not received any official notification from Zaid.
“We have not received anything. But if I may offer my opinion, I would say that this should be regarded as a friendly contest. It should not affect our commitment to the party’s struggle,” he told reporters at parliament lobby.
Kulim independent member of parliament, Zulkifli Nordin, a former PKR MP, said the decision by Zaid confirmed his views about the party.
“I am not surprised if there are more leaders following suit what Zaid had done,” said Zulkifli, who quit PKR early this year. — Bernama