I view with incredulity Zaid Ibrahim’s latest unkind salvo against Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), which I sometimes think he forgets is the party he currently belongs to and is in running for Deputy President. It is very irresponsible and even malicious for him to suggest that PKR seems to be a one issue party – keen only to champion Anwar Ibrahim and his ongoing trial.
This myth he knows is not true and is something that we normally only hear from UMNO-BN politicians. Over the last decade or so, PKR has grown tremendously and has played a major part in forging the Pakatan Rakyat alliance while espousing its true multi-racial brand of progressive politics, leading to the Pakatan Rakyat’s Common Policy Platform which we believe will pose a strong challenge to the BN in the next general election.
I am further shocked that Zaid has suggested that by defending Anwar, the party is unable to defend the rakyat. Again, very UMNO-BN-like criticism as he knows very well that the party has a good track record in defending the rakyat on various issues concerning civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.
I am sure Zaid is well aware that securing justice for Anwar does not merely mean providing the best legal defence but involves a campaign outside court to expose the Government’s manipulation of key institutions to persecute political opponents. Again, this statement that Anwar has received the best legal defence and therefore there is nothing else to do – certainly seemed very UMNO-BN-like, and certainly appalling coming from a PKR leader.
The implication of Anwar’s trial if he does not know is that Anwar’s current and previous trials represent all that is wrong with UMNO-BN’s brand of sham democracy – one that enables the government of the day to make use of all the state machinery including the judiciary, police, AG’s Chambers and even hospitals to manufacture false evidence and implicate political opponents.
In case Zaid has forgotten, Anwar has spent six years’ imprisonment on trumped up charges, and is once again facing the same fate. Surely it would be extremely unkind and ungrateful of PKR to suddenly abandon Anwar just when the party is becoming a major political force in the country.
I am certainly at a loss to understand Zaid’s campaign strategy as he seems bent on publicly and continuously criticising the party and its leadership (which I must remind he is also part of) instead of strengthening the party, and championing the party’s policies, processes and issues including that of UMNO-BN’s persecution of Anwar.
Released by:
R Sivarasa
The People's Parliament 
jack
October 21, 2010
true
Ben
October 21, 2010
Is this a case of “if you cannot convince then confuse them?”.
Let’s get on with the issues at hand and debate to allow he voters see and hear who has the better plan and direction. We sick of pretenders and we also don’t want trouble-makers. The nation beseech you so-called leaders, put your act together and may the best man win.
@#$%^&!
Kalkitos
October 21, 2010
do not understand what Sivarasa is trying to prove from this press statement. I have read Zaid’s article entitled “Empowering Keadilan”. Zaid is asking party members to move forward with a reformed mentality. He is also asking party members to rid the “yes boss” mentality and to provide a genuine platform for the public. So, Zaid’s article is really FOR Keadilan, instead of AGAINST Keadilan as described by Sivarasa in his press statement.
looes74
October 21, 2010
Folks,
Before you guys jump on me being Azmin’s supporter, eat this. I have issues with Azmin especially on his way of handling the Selangor issue. Especially the overhanded way of mandhandling Khalid Ibrahim.
Anyway, I fully understood Zaid’s ideals of empowering Keadlian. I believe most PKR members ain’t that blind. It’s pretty insulting to say most PKR members are brainless.
Hence, while I don’t really agree with Sivarasa choice of words on Zaid but the underlying message is…..Doing something wrong is worst than doing nothing at all.
As a fan of Yes Prime Minister….Under the episode of Power to the Power. Sir Arnold would say….Zaid is suffering from politician’s logic. Aaaa…..
Guys,
Rather than giving wonderful ammunitions to your opponents to counter attack you & not to mention saying so much open the wedge between PKR members. Perhaps, Zaid should start to demonstrate his skills & competencies on how he’s the better man For PKR. As to how, perhaps Zaid should start his thinking…..Anyway, Zaid, I foresee himself as Rajaratnam of PKR.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S._Rajaratnam. Ahem, I write as I please…..Zaid quite like him, hey
S Rajaratnam is a greater debater who singlehandedly battle all Soviet symphatisers. However, Rajaratnam choose his words wisely. Something, Zaid can learn from.
The best part is among all the big 3 lieutenants….Goh Keng Swee retired quitely from political life. Toh (The Party Man) turned himself into over outspoken backbencher. It was Rajaratnam who was finally given the honour. The first Senior Minister of Singapore….State funeral….Genuine respects from people from near & far
Get my drift
Jong
October 21, 2010
Hahaha, I read the ‘spins and twists’ to discredit Zaid’s call. Sivarasa, Azmin and Saifuddin – they are no different from Utusan and Wong Choon Mei/Malaysia Chronicle, are they?
Either they lost it or they deliberately choose not to read Zaid’s message in good faith and let it go on a spin!
PKR is not “Anwar Sendirian Berhad”! It is about struggle for “Change” if they had not forgotten their promise to their constituents/electorates?
Must PKR drop everything, just for Anwar? Must the party be further bogged down with Anwar’s personal problems that has been on-going for far too long, and is taking a toll on us supporters. We are all getting very tired, yes tired of defending him!
There are more pertinent issues and PKR must get serious and get going. Move on, no time to waste!
The Rakyat’s interest must come first, election promise must be kept, look into and not be distracted by mere Anwar issues.
Had Anwar been more responsible, mindful and a lil smarter, “Sodomy II” would not have happened so soon after “Sodomy I”. Think about it.
Sang Kancil Guru
October 21, 2010
R Sivarasa is a big disappointment indeed! So much for being a Rhodes scholar, but can’t think for himself and crazy for positions! I take back what I said in the past of him being a good MP. He is a useless lap dog.
amd
October 21, 2010
I have said mytwosen in malaysiakini
Jong
October 21, 2010
Why won’t you post your comments here again – cut and paste if you will. You should know that many of us poor souls can’t afford to pay to read Malaysiakini.
Lynn
October 21, 2010
Ok, Jong, so I’m reposting what I posted at Malaysiakini in response to Sivarasa’s letter:”YB R Sivarass, after reading your letter and Zaid Ibrahim’s statement, I feel Zaid’s argument holds more water. Your argument seems to smack of loyalty to Anwar, not loyalty to the party. I strongly feel and support Zaid for saying that PKR cannot be about Anwar’s problems only. He has been too busy trying to garner international support for his Sodomy II case, otherwise he’s off on some lecturing circuit. He keeps silent on issues when supporters look up for his views. The president is passive and it looks like there is no real leader in PKR. As somebody said elsewhere, Anwar was stupid to have been trapped by Sodomy I and is still as stupid to be trapped again by Sodomy II. Therefore to Sivarasa, Azmin and esp to Anwar, do all Pakatan supporters a favour. Gracefully allow someone of Zaid’s calibre and integrity to lead the party for the sake of GE13!
Jong
October 21, 2010
Thanx!
temenggong
October 21, 2010
I am shocked that you put up this letter here Haris. Zaid has not criticised any PKR member. Sivarasa should know that.
I am surprised to know that PKR is not a one issue party. 🙂
temenggong.
I am surprised that you are surprised!
shakuntala
October 21, 2010
Poor Sivarasa appears to be verging on the emotional; can’t blame him for having stood by Anwar…it is almost a protective and possessive role.
Anwar’s supporters have made a cult of him and we the Ra’ayat have also followed suit. It is only natural.
Zaid Ibrahim is trying to diffuse this over-reaction by being more realistic. He is in no way unkind or malicious.
Think it is a timely call to PKR to pull up its socks and attend to the main theme, which is party unity, being contructive instead of what it is at the moment, distructive.
The People want this committment from PKR…a broader based all caring Party which has set its sights on Putra Jaya.
At the end of the day,like Sivarasa we do feel so strongly for Anwar and his family too, but life in other directions for the party has to move on.
Zaid Ibrahim is playing the rightful role as Party Adviser.
Instead of chastising him, we aught to say thank you, lending the party, his seasoned direction.
nah cili
October 21, 2010
Anwar, Azmin, are you still with Umno?
Sivarasa, grow up and open your eyes. You, a yes man?
Zaid, lawan tetap lawan.
Remie
October 21, 2010
So, they pulled the bogeyman, “UMNO”, to discredit a REAL reformer among the “so-called” leaders of PKR.
The BIG question, I ask is, what substantive achievements has PR done on the national stage? What “keadilan” motions/bills have they issued in Parliament? Put forward a motion or bill, which BN parliamentarians cannot say “No”, as see them shoot it down.
Khalid & his team is doing something at state-level. So, is LGE in Penang. Even PAS is wallowing in Kelantan.
Tony Pua is articulating well on economic issues. What substantive national issues have Azmin or the other chap have articulated? They are MPs, no?
Don’t talk about “justice” when my wallet is empty on the first day of each month.
My children are being taught ‘rubbish’ in school. Emphasising a language that is useless outside the Malay Archipelago, and dumbing down an international language. That, after 12 years plus 4, graduates cannot even articulate an idea in one simple English sentence.
If you cannot do something about that, you are not a leader with vision.
Finally, a good opposition would have, in place, a shadow cabinet, almost immediately after a GE. Coming up to 3 years, we have nothing from PR.
Shame, shame on PR.
Shamsul Yunos
October 21, 2010
Maybe this is Sivarasa’s backhanded slap of Anwar adn Azmin………
sampalee
October 21, 2010
While most readers lament,I am tickled pink as I can see how Tuhan strip off the sheeps attire worned by the many pr leaders in both pkr and dap.A bunch of munafiq.If nobody take-up the third front Tuhan will intervene direct in a manner that our so called modern society will be lost of explanation.To the believers and faithful,it will be just Tuhan keeping to his promise.
amd
October 21, 2010
Apparently Siva now retracts the word “malicious” when referring to Zaid’s “electioneering’. This is his comment to his letter after reading other comments in malaysiakini. Comments are free — for reading. You subscribe when you want to kepo and write a comment.
amd
October 21, 2010
Also maybe Siva kena write-lah to shoe=w that Zaid is not the omly big-shot lawyer in PKR town. He wants to show to Zaid that he is someone to be reckoned with. Or maybe Siva too sly and want to get opinions which actually support the taking out of Azmin cos Siva pun susah with Azmin as VP? So Siva takes the risk and in a way helps Zaid out. The responses in malaysiakini are pretty reasonable and many actually think Zaid is ok but did not have diplomacy in his campaign for VP.
Warga Malaysia
October 21, 2010
So by posting Sivarasa’s comment, does that mean Haris agrees with what he said?
lulu
October 21, 2010
hahahah
until i read the end, i was ??? huh?huh?huh?ing on what would possess haris to write that, and that it was so not his style.
hahhahaaaaaaaa sivarasah…….
wee
October 22, 2010
Hi I am wondering what PKR stands for – PARTI KEADILAN RAKYAT or parti keadilan anwar . PKR should grow up to be for the RAKYAT and dwelling into same old issues . So far none of the PKR leaders share their vision for KEADILAN RAKYAT !! Instead we are giving the same ‘shit’ about politic of going to putra jaya etc . How can we give our votes to PKR if there is no money in our pockets ? Living cost goes up (as against living standards – there are actually 2 different things ) The education system keeps changing , etc . KEADILAN RAKYAT means to BELA THE RAKYAT LA Not only bela th Boss !! Come on – we need to be like the French – Justice for all !!
wee
October 22, 2010
Hi I am wondering what PKR stands for – PARTI KEADILAN RAKYAT or parti keadilan anwar . PKR should grow up to be for the RAKYAT and NOT dwelling into same old issues . So far none of the PKR leaders share their vision for KEADILAN RAKYAT !! Instead we are giving the same ‘shit’ about politic of going to putra jaya etc . How can we give our votes to PKR if there is no money in our pockets ? Living cost goes up (as against living standards – there are actually 2 different things ) The education system keeps changing , etc . KEADILAN RAKYAT means to BELA THE RAKYAT LA Not only bela th Boss !! Come on – we need to be like the French – Justice for all !!
Navi
October 22, 2010
Zaid seems to have stepped on many a nerve for calling spade a spade. To me Zaid should have perhaps stayed away from politics as it seem not his style to play the game – what the ‘veterans’ of PKR are doing. Zaid is too straight and his honest assessments of situations in the party is not being reciprocated to well.
Jong
October 23, 2010
#Zaid seems to have stepped on many a nerve for calling spade a spade.#
– It’s their problem lah, not Zaid’s! If they cannot accept the truth, so be it. I see you too are having problem with honesty eh?
Arhh those so-called “veterans” one by one are beginning to rear their ugly heads and behaving like idiots. They it difficult to letgo of their umno/bn stench?
Jong
October 23, 2010
oops, sorry I reword last sentence:
They find it difficult to letgo of their umno/bn stench?
Parli-Man
October 22, 2010
I have to remind Sivarasa that Anwar spent 6 years in jail because of his personal high stakes power gamble with Mahade (his mentor) and lost. It has nothing to do with the rakyat so kindly do not try to pull the gullible rakyat into some kind of sympathy vote for Anwar’s personal agenda. Having said that I wonder if Anwar has regained his amnesia of who the real Hindraf leaders are ? On a personal level as a rakyat sympathiser all I can advise dear Anwar is not to associate himself closely with anymore suspicious coffee boys anymore. The rakyat cannot spend another 10 years fighting for Sodomy III anymore
annoying mouse
October 23, 2010
How refreshing of Sivarasa to remind me of why I like Zaid.
I prefer to KNOW warts & all, rather than nothing.
I feel more empowered this way.
And If I still vote for whoever it is, KNOWING what I know, well, that is then my informed choice isn’t it?
anna brella
October 24, 2010
The way I see it, both Sivarasa and Zaid are talking about the big issues as well as the small details in PKR and PR that need to be equally addressed.
Both are legally trained so must understand the principle that you will lose due process for all unless you are willing to defend due process for one because all are equal before the Law.
It would however, IMO, help public perception and comprehension of PKR and PR politics and people better if such honesty amongst PKR members were kept to a suitable private level and when necessary, communicated publicly with perhaps a bit more local understanding.
One of the hallmarks of a true leader is that he/she will always welcome valued/honest counsel from their group members – but being a leaders means that it is thir role to make/take the final decisions on strategic actions – so I am certain that Mr Anwar Ibrahim and Dr Wan Azizah too, will without doubt welcome good honest counsel from both Zaid and Sivarasa.
Having said that, I must say also that I have been quite disappointed at how the mechanics of this first, new-styled PKR elections have apparently turned out based on some of the reports I have read here.
Everyone who misbehaved and acted out of order and against clear regulations must be turfed out and not given a second chance whatsoever to screw up PR’s chance of winning at GE13. Malaysia and Malaysians cannot afford to go through another term of UMNO/BN racist madness.
“Imagine Power To The People” John Lennon.