Zaid Ibrahim

It is my hope that Malaysia will be born again as a free and egalitarian democracy.

[Zaid Ibrahim @zaidibrahim]

Dato Salleh Keruak has long campaigned for Sabah and Sarawak to have 1/3 of the seats in our Parliament. He says it’s not enough for Borneo to get an increase if Peninsular also gets more seats. To him, the principal demand is that there must be the one-third rule

This demand has no basis, and it’s unfair. It should not persuade the Election Commission members. They have no legal entitlement to the one-third principle; it is not in MA63 or the IGC Report.

Earlier leaders may have offered political assurances, but those must be disregarded.
The Election Commission certainly will be guided by the usual principles in seat distribution, by population weightage and proportionality, etc

But we must not ignore the overriding consideration: that Malaya is the bedrock of this country. The substratum of Malaya is the Malays, whether political, cultural, or economic. That’s the core principle the Commission has to take into account in the seat distribution

We must not make the mistake of being overenthusiastic and generous to Borneo partners at the expense of the future. By doing so, the Malay substratum might not hold. Then the characteristics of the motherland will change

That’s not acceptable

[Zaid Ibrahim @zaidibrahim]

Rais Yatim ( all titles stripped away from him) is 84. Served the government for many years. But he is a passionate man about Adat and customary laws, and is well qualified to understand the rudiments of the Rule of law as well

So it is unfortunate that today he is being charged with sedition. What did he do and what did he say?
I can surmise that he defended the power of the Undangs to remove the Yang Dipertuan. That he instigated the current crisis.

About the removal of the Yang Dipertuan, it’s a legal issue. If the Undangs had improperly exercised their power, why was there not a referral to the court to decide? Mind you, this happened way before the election. I think there was no referral because PH gambled that the actions of the Undangs would have favoured them, and the Rakyat would have booted out UMNO for their support of the Undangs; for traditions and Adat

But the political gambit failed. So the Undangs, thinking that their actions were lawful, prepared the Proclamation for the removal of the Yang di-Pertuan, which the former MB refused to sign
The new MB signed the Proclamation because it was expected of the MB.

We let a small crisis fester instead of resolving it quickly because some powerful groups wanted to take advantage of it. Like removing all elected Excos ( totally unconstitutional) and appointing the PH Assemblymen in their place. Thats how you defeat democracy

As for the sedition charge, Rais must have uttered words that hurt the feelings of the Yang di-Pertuan and challenged his authority. But regularly we have people in high places making derogatory remarks about the Undangs, calling them uncivilised and so on. No sedition charge on them?

Don't forget the Undangs are Co-Rulers in NS. They may not have gone to public school in England or qualified as lawyers, but they deserve as much respect as those more qualified. Respect for the Rulers is indivisible. It must include those less sophisticated, because they are Rulers in their areas of domain. It’s these less sophisticated or uncivilised Undangs
who appointed the Yang Di Pertuan; don’t forget that

If they had genuinely wanted to resolve the crisis, they could have done so. But they wanted to play politics.

Social commentators are quick to decide who the pawns are in this game. Some say MB; others say Umno. It could be someone else, less expected

[Zaid Ibrahim @zaidibrahim]

The sacking of 10 Excos in NS has been gazetted. So the AG must have said it’s legal for a constitutional monarch in Malaysia to sack them without “acting on advice “

It’s another new element in the Reign of Terror.

[Zaid Ibrahim @zaidibrahim]

PN suspension clearly aims to disrupt PN momentum and win the GE. PAS is taking a giant stride toward winning. It has to be stopped
Bersatu’s complaint about not being invited to the PN meeting was in July 2026, more than a year ago

10 days later, PN responded, and Takiyudin gave a four-hour explanation in August 2026
A year later, before the Melaka election, a letter came out of the blue from ROS: a notice to suspend PN. A dispute about meeting rules led to a suspension?

In the meantime, four of the charges against Bersatu's top man got DNAA

It all fits into the plan that Zahid from UMNO describes as normal administrative action by ROS
This is another bit about the Reign of Terror. There will be intimidation all round
But the net effect is to make us in PAS stronger. Intimidation has never worked. PAS members will be emboldened
The Madani team is working overtime to prevent PAS Umno collaboration. They have achieved that
But what can ROS do to stop the Malays and other patriotic Malaysians from voting for PAS? Nothing

[Zaid Ibrahim @zaidibrahim]

This morning, I wrote about the Reign of Terror. I want to elaborate. Leaders who came along promising liberation turned out to be two-faced and among the most repressive

Robespierre was famous amongst the French Revolution leaders. He postulated the concept of virtue and terror. Virtue for justice and terror to eliminate the opponents of justice.

In one year, more than 100,000 were killed or guillotined. Terror was used to justify virtue.
But then, if you live by the sword, you die by that as well. He was executed after losing power

Two hundred fifty years later, a different but equally pernicious terror landed here
We saw elected leaders in NS booted out and locked out of their offices; the Chief Minister prevented from meeting certain individuals; student leaders from Mandiri in lock-up for money laundering; the opposition party suspended and barred from using their logo in the midst of an election

What else will we see in the coming days? More that will remind everyone the days of Terror are here. The liberator is so fearful of losing power

[Zaid Ibrahim @zaidibrahim]

Now we are in the Reign of Terror; not as severe as the Reign under Robespierre, but the signs are there

We have a PM who described NS Menteri Besar and the Undangs as “uncivilised “ for removing the monarch, when he should have been more polite; he should have tried to be amiable and cultivate some goodwill so that the crisis could be overcome

How could he be trusted to bring reconciliation with such an attitude?

He could have said the attempt to remove the monarch was bad in law, but the government will wait for the court to decide

He could have said that MB Dato Ismail signed the 19 April proclamation because procedure required him to do so when the four Undangs signed the Proclamation. It was unfair and incorrect to say the MB was involved in removing the monarch.

It was the Undangs who appointed the monarch who signed the removal proclamation

He need not have blamed UMNO in the affair unless he had clear evidence of a conspiracy between UMNO and the Undangs to remove the monarch. But what’s the purpose? BN has a strong majority without doing that

What I am worried about is that some unscrupulous groups would deliberately destabilise the state administration to create a situation of grave danger to justify an Emergency Rule

But I am sure the Agong could see through this ruse and would not proclaim an emergency based on false-flag attacks on the NS MB and his Exco

[Zaid Ibrahim @zaidibrahim]

My good friend Kalimullah wrote a brilliant article about the NS affair. He eloquently praises Tuanku Mukhriz, an exemplary monarch who is very popular. Tuanku opposes corruption, and he spoke publicly about how despicable those who still want the corrupt to be pardoned are.

Granted, my friend's observations on the matter are hard to disagree with; but the facts remain: a good monarch cannot rule without a functioning government.

We can say the elected leaders are rubbish and a despicable lot; but they remain the leaders in the Assembly elected by the people

If we have no regard for the elected leaders democratically chosen, then we might as well go for an absolute monarch who is wise and faultless. Is that what we want?

All I am saying is that ascribing blame is no answer; we have to find a solution.
I have earlier suggested that we must make a serious effort to reconcile the warring parties.

If the situation in NS leads to public disorder or affects the administration of the state in a fundamental way ( which I think is imminent), then an Emergency will be declared.

You may think it’s unnecessary or inappropriate, but what alternative workable solution is there?

We had an emergency declared in Kelantan in 1977 for a lot less complication than what we are witnessing in NS. There, we had a power struggle between UMNO and PAS; here, it’s an unprecedented war between a constitutional monarch and his Co-leaders in the Undangs, and the elected leaders in the state.

I surmise the conflict in NS began outside NS; one group questioned the pardon, and another defended the move. Both powerful

A pardon is a question of judgement; a very personal one by a monarch to grant mercy. When one powerful group expresses public disapproval, don’t you think the other will get offended? A pardon is not a simple good vs evil. It’s about personal judgement and wisdom. Thats why a pardon by a head of state is never brought to public debate in other countries

The outcome of a fight between powerful groups is hard to predict. But I hope it’s not at the expense of the people

Here, the travails affecting NS must be resolved quickly. Don’t let this fester, dear Prime Minister. The lava and the heat from this explosion will not be good for the country. You have a King in Sultan Ibrahim who surely does not want this mess to remain in limbo; under his reign

[Zaid Ibrahim @zaidibrahim]

The country has no Bumi equity rule; never mind tuition centres. There is only an arbitrary rule

Someone in authority can decide on the 30 per cent rule one day, and someone else can revoke it the next. Which Bumiputra gets the 30 per cent? No one knows the criteria for selection

Would it be much easier if we removed the 30 per cent? It’s a farce. It enriches the elites. It promotes rent-seeking
A better idea is for the government to identify the business or sector where Bumiputras are lagging and invest in it for them. Not GLCs, GLICs, MARA, or FELDA.
Give it to individual Malay entrepreneurs who are interested; 100% support. Proactively promote Bumi mercantile and business class

Then reverse the 30% rule for the Chinese/ Indians. There must be 30 per cent non-Malays in the civil service, the teachers, the Army, the Police, the MACC and AG Chambers

I bet things will be better for the country

That’s how we achieve the original purpose of the NEP, which is to ensure a particular business or vocation is not identified by ethnicity

Also, this is the way to a more unified country

[Zaid Ibrahim @zaidibrahim]

So, no DAP ministers resigned over Najib’s pardon? What a relief

If you must resign to make a point, find a plausible one

Like, why is there no RCI on Mafiagate? DAP demanded this
No prosecution on a multibillion-ringgit Ponzi scheme called MBI despite millions in property forfeiture

No prosecution on gambling syndicates masquerading as sports centres; karaoke lounges; suppliers of gaming equipment, slot machines. What happened to the MACC investigation that started in 2023, with forty million in frozen accounts involving some VVIPs

Suddenly, all quiet. Perhaps we have gotten rid of corruption, but certainly not illegal / underworld business that is expanding exponentially

Or perhaps it’s a good distraction. Go after corrupt UMNO leaders (and DNAA them later), get the applause, but let the underworld flourish to keep the war chest full.

[Zaid Ibrahim @zaidibrahim]

The situation in NS requires urgent action by the PM. He has to stop travelling overseas

The state administration must continue. Payments must be made. New contracts must be signed.

When there is no Exco, and it is unclear who the rightful ruler is, then the PM and the Malay Rulers must sit down to find an amicable solution

Get the relevant parties to refer the issues to the Federal Court
Ask the full panel of the Court to decide all the burning questions

Is the removal of Tuanku Mukhriz valid? Is the removal of Exco valid? Who are the legally elected Undangs? etc

The only way to find a solution is for the parties to agree to a joint reference to all those questions, and to abide by the court's ruling

Failing which, there is a need for a proclamation of Emergency in Negeri. The Constitution must be suspended. The Rakyat must not suffer any longer

[Zaid Ibrahim @zaidibrahim]

Weak leaders have brought the country into a mess. NS matter could have been resolved with proper engagement and not allowed to fester

The Pardon issue was never an issue until this government made it political. Now it’s spiralling into something else

Borneo is now telling everyone not to get involved in their affairs because they can bully a weak Putrajaya

So the question is: of all the aspirants to be PM, who is the toughest? We need a strong leader who is not afraid to make decisions

[Zaid Ibrahim @zaidibrahim]

There is only one winner after Najib's pardon, and that’s PAS
PH can’t say they opposed the pardon and couldn't stop it. Well, they could stop it for two and a half years, but couldn't for another year? DAP will lose whatever little support they have now

As for UMNO-BN, they could win the number of seats they currently have, but will never get more seats because of the pardon

PAS is the only one that’s clean and not involved in abuse of power or connected with leaders of questionable character. The only party that will win more than in the last election

Have a good weekend

[Zaid Ibrahim @zaidibrahim]

There is only one winner after Najib's pardon, and that’s PAS
PH can’t say they opposed the pardon and couldn't stop it. Well, you could stop it for two and a half years, but you couldn't for another year?

As for UMNO-BN, you could win the number of seats you currently have, but you will never get more seats because of the pardon

PAS is the only one that’s clean and not interlocked with leaders of questionable character. The only party that will win more than in the last election

[Zaid Ibrahim @zaidibrahim]

When Najib walks free tomorrow, many people will be happy. Najib and his family, of course. He can continue his PhD program in better surroundings and serve as UMNO's strategic adviser. He will not want to be on the frontline of combat anymore

Zahid, with Najib’s help, will soon be the Prime Minister. He will be the best person to give Anwar cover and shelter after Anwar loses the next election.
All ex-PMs need protection

As for Loke and Hannah, don’t be so sad. Zahid will ensure DAP stays in government for a long time.

Master Yoda has all the above figured out. The Guru Yoda remains cool and loyal to the student. The student pretended to be angry and rebellious in public. But it’s all part of the grand plan

I am waiting for my party to respond to all this

[Zaid Ibrahim @zaidibrahim]

Some of PAS's supporters are not happy that I strongly opposed working with UMNO for the election

Maybe they misunderstood and thought I opposed Malay unity. I wish to remind them not to conflate UMNO and Malay unity. Malay unity is crucial for PAS and for Malaya; otherwise, we will all be a colony of Borneo.
But it is not for UMNO. UMNO under Zahid is crucial for Anwar

[Zaid Ibrahim @zaidibrahim]

PAS has two assemblymen in NS, and they should speak up about the position of Tunku Mukriz
Removal of a sitting monarch is unprecedented. The state constitution includes provisions for how to do it.
PAS must make sure the law has been followed; if not, Tunku Mukriz is still the Yang di-Pertuan. It does not matter whether the proclamation is by the Exco or the MB

[Zaid Ibrahim @zaidibrahim]

Welcome to the world of prerogatives

Only a few days ago, an item on the Pardons Board meeting agenda was removed, and when the government was asked to explain why, the response was, “It’s the King's prerogative.” Today, the story is slightly different. The PM said the AG had advised him, and the AG has prerogatives too.

When four charges were dropped ( DNAA) on Muhyiddin Yassin it was based on the prerogatives of the AG as well

That’s our Malaysian way. Use prerogatives when top people do not want to explain the basis of their decision at all, no matter how important the issue is to the public

But the good news is that Muhyiddin has been freed of the charges. That should free him to be more active in campaigning for his party, Bersatu

I won’t be surprised if this astute politician supports the PM this time since his party is without allies
It’s just a sweet coincidence if both Zahid and Muhiyudin support the PM.
Both earned the DNAA by the grace of the AG

[Zaid Ibrahim @zaidibrahim]

Agong’s prerogative
This is Anwar’s explanation of why Najib’s pardon was removed from the agenda of the Pardons Board meeting

Anwar always uses the King's name more than any other PM in the country's history.
But I like to remind him: Don’t use the expression “royal prerogative” in vain. The one running the country is not the King; it’s the PM. Let’s get this straight. That’s how constitutional government operates.
The PM naturally sees the King and briefs him on matters of state all the time. The King would also tell him whatever he wishes all the time. But that’s where it stops. It’s a private, confidential meeting

Everything done or not done is the work of the government of the day. Conversations and communication between the Prime Minister and the monarch are confidential in a Westminster government.

Don't say the King wants this or that. Don't say the King wants Felda to be investigated, or GE16 must be in 2028; or whatever; even if that’s the wish of the King conveyed to the PM in private

Why is this arrangement important? Because the King doesn't engage with the public. That’s what a PM is for. The King has to be protected from controversy and adverse comments. He is not accountable to the Rakyat in the way the PM is

Therefore, the PM can’t take the easy way out by using the King's name. He can’t seek popularity or public support by using the King's name. Similarly, he can’t avoid controversy by hiding behind the Istana.
He can’t avoid explaining to the people when a matter of public interest arises. Thats why he is the PM; not to get all the perks and pomp of the office, but to take responsibility for the actions or inaction of the government

Ok now we come to the Pardons Board meeting. The PM can’t say the Najib matter was on the agenda because it’s the King's prerogative.

The agenda was there because the government wanted it. It’s part of a government meeting. Can’t the PM take responsibility for that? Surely he must.
If he does, why can’t he explain why the meeting proceeded without discussing the matter? The PM has to explain. Don’t avoid it by saying it’s the King's prerogative. Give the real reason or concoct one
If, for example, Parliament's opening had to be postponed, the PM can’t say it’s the King's prerogative. Either he tells the real reason, or he concocts one, but he has to explain. Don't pass the buck. It’s all about taking responsibility

[Zaid Ibrahim @zaidibrahim]

Sabah wants 40% of its revenue, insisting that a 1 billion grant is not enough. Then Sarawak wants 10 of total revenue as a special grant. Both are demanding 35 per cent of the total Parliamentary seats
Then 15 other demands are too difficult to comprehend

What do the Malay leaders do? They are quarrelling in public about whether they can trust one another

They even ask Terengganu to call the state election first to show they can be an honest partner in seat negotiations. How pathetic they can be

With this group of Malay leaders, Malaya will be a colony of Sabah and Sarawak in twenty years

[Zaid Ibrahim @zaidibrahim]

Whom can you trust?
Umno leaders, from the top circle to ordinary delegates, don’t seem to have an idea of how to carve out a win-win arrangement with PAS. Negative thoughts seem to dominate their conversations when they speak about working together

First, they unnecessarily talk about how they were played out last time. When was that? What were the actions that led them to think PAS played them out? None. If this is the first time they are seriously working together, how can there be an occasion when they were played out?

Second, are they talking about the 1974-1978 breakup, when PAS left the BN government? In that case, UMNO played out PAS. Who would have forgotten the fake declaration of emergency in Kelantan in 1978 that led to the downfall of the PAS state government? Who betrayed whom?

To UMNO leaders, I say: grow up. Madani is set to destroy you. Now is not the time to conjure political posturing for short-term gains. Engage in serious, scientific, and objective assessments of the total number of seats that the Bluewave can win nationwide, and then apportion the seats to optimise our chances of winning.

Be strategic about how to defeat Anwar, and do not engage in petty public quarrels about whether you can trust each other. We have to trust one another, period. We have no choice

Let me give an example. Selangor is the prized asset. If we truly execute a political collaboration under the Malay unity message, we should get 22 seats, where Malays comprise the clear majority. In the 9 mixed seats, we could win easily with some support from the Indian and Chinese communities. So forming the next government by winning 31 is an easily achievable target

So start working together now, and no more hustling.
Guru will come back from Keeralam, India, buoyed by the overseas visit, and he will give more subsidies. More goodies

Then he will unleash a new wave of attacks against top leaders. No one is safe. Those who aspire to be PM, CM or Cabinet Ministers in the next government might face court charges again. He could flatten the field; the way the Thais did to Langkawi in 1800

Don't ask whether PAS can be trusted. Ask how you can be saved from the scourge of the Guru