“I believe DAP, together with Pakatan Harapan, can stem the tide of Talibanisation that has changed the Malay identity beyond recognition,” the outspoken former minister told a press conference at his home today, adding that he was aware that “DAP is taboo to some Malays”.
The press conference was attended by top DAP leaders, including Lim Kit Siang, Amanah leaders Dzulkefly Ahmad and Khalid Samad, as well as Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad and PPBM supreme council members Sanusi Junid and A Kadir Jasin.
This is the third political party Zaid has joined since his resignation in 2008 from Umno. He also quit his cabinet post under then prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
A year later, he joined PKR, before falling out with its deputy president Azmin Ali. He then revived a little-known party to set up Parti Kesejahteraan Insan Tanah Air (Kita), before announcing that he was quitting politics altogether in 2013.
Zaid, who is an outspoken critic of the Barisan Nasional federal government, said his choice of DAP was due to the performance of the DAP-led state government in Penang.
“In Penang, we have a state government that offers good administration, provides better housing and cleaner streets, as well as creates jobs for the people. That’s what good politics does – it solves people’s problems.”
Saying DAP was being attacked by Umno with the help of PAS, Zaid urged Malays to be brave in breaking taboos, citing several lines from national laureate Usman Awang.
“They are stripping Malays of their culture, of basic rights, of choice and of their dignity. PAS has done nothing to solve the real problems of the people.
“It doesn’t have anything resembling an economic plan. It does not have a plan for education.
“It doesn’t even try to do simple things like clear blocked drains, stop flash floods or collect rubbish regularly in the state that they govern,” he said, referring to the PAS-led Kelantan state government.
The lawyer who is known for speaking out against religious conservatism said it was time for Malays to go back to their values instead of listening to those who peddle religion.
“For Malays to be competitive and relevant in the modern world, it’s not enough for them to be preoccupied with things the preachers tell them, whether about halal and haram, or the wonders of polygamy. They must want to be part of the new world.”
Zaid said he would not seek any post in DAP. He also thanked former prime minister, Mahathir, and other opposition leaders for their presence.
He added that the former leader’s vision of a developed country was now under threat.
“It is important for the people that you are leading this charge to fight for the country’s future. Your Vision 2020 for an economically advanced country that is liberal, modern and progressive, a country in which Malaysians of all races live in peace and harmony, is in tatters.
“Although you once lamented that Malaysians are unwilling to change, I believe they will this time. You have inspired them to do so,” Zaid added.
Lim, who is also DAP parliamentary leader, said the party welcomes Zaid as he will be an asset in their common quest to “save Malaysia”.
“Many people have been asking us if the rumours of Zaid joining DAP were true and how long would he last in the party. I can vouch for Zaid being a true team player with a sharp political mind.
“He will be an asset in the party’s mission to make Malaysia great again,” Lim added.
Zaid’s press conference today was originally scheduled to be held at The Royal Selangor Club in Bukit Kiara but the club informed him yesterday that he could not host it there.
Yesterday, Zaid accused Putrajaya of instructing the club to deny him the use of the club’s premises to talk to the media today. The club later released a statement saying that there had been no such instruction from any third party.