Minister Zaid...again!

from: thestar.com.my

Wednesday July 16, 2008

Zaid has hectic day at Dewan

MINISTER in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Zaid Ibrahim had a hectic day at Parliament yesterday.

Not only was he in the Dewan to reply on points raised during the debate on the Judges Remuneration (Amendment) Bill but he was also busy at the lobby, where he gave a press conference on matters concerning the Judiciary Appointment Committee, the ex-gratia payment to three former judges who were sacked during the 1988 judicial crisis, and his “absence” from the Dewan on Monday night.

On the Judiciary Appointment Committee, the de facto Law Minister said he had tabled the proposal to the Cabinet but it was not accepted.

“The proposal will be revised,” he said, adding that he did not know when it would be ready.

“I am not a magician. I cannot make things work overnight.”

On the goodwill ex-gratia payment, Zaid said he had agreed with the family members of the judges not to reveal the sum.

“I have to respect my agreement with them,” he said.

Several MPs, debating on the Mid-Term Review Motion, had asked about the quantum of ex-gratia.

Zaid also said that as a senator, he was not expected to be in the Dewan Rakyat all the time.

“I only come to answer, I can’t lepak (loiter) in the Dewan the whole day. I have work to do.

There are people trying to discredit me,” he said at the Parliament lobby yesterday.

“I have no problem to reply but my name was not listed to give any reply. I am aware that several MPs raised issues related to the judiciary but I have answered some of the queries before.”


my thoughts:

what nonsense is this. and it came from our de-facto Minister of Law. and a lawyer who is supposed to understand the law and fundamentals of democracy.

you are the government of the people. for the people. the rakyat put you there to administer and manage this country to your best ability. there exists a tacit agreement between you and the rakyat. you are answerable to the rakyat. and must be accountable for everything you do. and this agreement must be uphold at all times. at all cost. well, that is the concept anyway.

in this case, you acted arbitrarily and made payments to the judges. and you have refused to disclose the amount for reasons only known to you. and now you said you could not disclose the amount because you have agreed with the judges' family not to reveal the amount. and you have to respect your agreement with them.

Minister Zaid, what about your agreement with the rakyat then?! you have used the rakyat's money. and yet you refuse to tell the rakyat how much you have given away for something that was decided arbitrarily. and not based on proper legal procedure and merits.

if you want our trust, please respect our agreement.

otherwise, go back to law school!