In a post on his blog today, the former minister speculated that these “friends” could likely leave Hadi in the lurch after the next general election, which needs to be called by June next year.
“Although I never liked Hadi, especially his brand of politics, I feel sorry for him now.
“Those who are keen to destroy Clare and Ambiga (and whoever else they have in mind) may not be interested in the case after March 2018.
“I don’t want those who are ‘using’ him to leave him in the lurch and not pay the lawyers’ fees once the case is settled, which will be the end of 2018 at the earliest,” Zaid said, referring to the case that is being waged in the London courts.
He added that the case is going to be lengthy and expensive, costing more than RM10 million.
“Has PAS somehow managed to raise £2 million pounds from its members to pay the law firm of Carter-Ruck?
“My friends have told me that Carter-Ruck is probably the most expensive law firm for defamation work, with charge rates of around £600 per hour, equivalent to about RM3,300 per hour.”
Zaid, who joined DAP earlier this year, said that if the issue of Hadi’s “reputation” really was at stake, the suit should have taken place in Malaysia, instead of London, where not many people know of him.
“That’s why I think it’s not Hadi’s reputation that ‘these friends’ are seeking to protect. They have something else in mind.
“I think the suit is being done in London to make political capital out of discrediting Clare and the opposition. Hadi’s reputation is not important to these people,” he said, warning the PAS president that he will have to carry the burden long after GE14.
Zaid then advised Hadi to withdraw the case while his costs are still low at this stage of the suit.
“After all, Clare never said he took any money, and Hadi should not take it as a personal insult if other leaders did.
“The price for him to engage in this legal battle is just too high and totally disproportionate to the damage he perceives to have been done to his name,” he said.
Zaid added that the long drawn suit would be an unfair and painful experience for Hadi and his family, especially with his health being not good.