Perhaps opportunity may knock on Zaid’s door a second time

Zaid now says what he didn’t when Dr M took on royals in ’93

Send In The Clowns: Former minister Zaid Ibrahim, you may have blown a fine opportunity to make the most of your political fortune but, you are only human.

Former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad sang, ‘My Way’, you can draw your comfort from these lines, “Regrets I had a few, too few to mention…”

You are back with Mahathir and now in the same team. Who knows, opportunity may knock on your door a second time so that you can live up to your conviction this time.

Aries46: Not to worry, Zaid, you are adored and respected for your non-partisan views and stand.

Don’t forget you undid the unforgivable injustice committed on the five judges. That was not politics. Those were the dark ages and Mahathir was seemingly the one-eyed king, and allegedly kept a dossier on his detractors and left it on the coffee table in the waiting room after summoning them.

He was ruthless and Umno politicians feared being cut down to size. His every wish was their command.

But whatever you feared to say then is now being said freely in the social media and online portals. No one is sacred anymore, including of our naked emperor.

Be proud you came out of the slime unscathed with your head held high and people accept you as you are, regardless of the party you choose.

Anonyxyz: There are certain people who cling on to their principles and pay dearly for their commitment. Anwar Ibrahim is one of them.

He would rather stay in jail and be humiliated and suffer from poor health rather than accept political asylum overseas.

Just compare that with the opposite species like a ‘royal’ blogger, who talk a lot about principles but seemingly turned chicken and ran to the UK. Who is the towering Malay?

CQ Muar: A worthy and sensible article by Zaid, and a great reminder to all. That said, let’s be rational and let wisdom prevail.

Let’s pray that this country is heading towards the right path, and all Malaysians, regardless of race, religion and status, will live in this beautiful land of ours in peace and harmony.

NNFC: History is history. There is nothing that says history needs to compel actions of the future.

Our urgent issues are current, and so we need to be guided by able, sound-minded and fair individuals who can lead Malaysians who are swept by the wave of current disapproval of the government.

Victor Johan: There’s a very clear loud calling of ABU, Anything But Umno. That also means that there’s no place for PM Najib Razak’s minions and associates in BN as well.

The GE14, which is taking place very soon, is the place for this to happen, and it’s now or never.

Ipoh Pp: Zaid, at least you have voiced your views. However, we have a former PM who have gone to sleep.

Gerard Lourdesamy: Rulers should stay out of politics, period. Let the politicians and political parties fight it out to gain the support of the people.

Overt or covert political statements should never be made by constitutional monarchs even if they are angry. If Mahathir is wrong, so is Najib. Why the silence over the US Justice Department (DOJ) report and the 1MDB scandal?

Just because Najib’s pivot to China may benefit a certain state, it is hardly a reason to attack a former prime minister who has done much for this country.

Constitutional rulers merely reign, they do not rule or govern. The state is not their private property but instead belongs to the crown as a body corporate.

Rulers can advise, encourage and warn, but it must be done privately and within the confines of their constitutional powers and restricted by conventions.

In a democracy, the ruler must at the end of the day defer to the wishes of the elected government except in matters where he has prerogative powers.

Prudent: The ‘Loose Cannon’ at least recognised his mistakes, which is very wise. But he did make two very good decisions – resign from Umno and become a DAP member.

The Analyser: Does Zaid have anything of relevance to say? It seems to me he is just another person who loves to talk but never says anything. He talks round and round in circles, but adds nothing to the political scene.

He, too, is consumed with personalities and by being so he avoids any commitment to anything… more particularly, he has nothing to say about the future nor about Malaysians.

A Malaysian First: Analyser, this man wants to be PM, and he has been harbouring this hope since he was with Kelantan Umno.

He missed that, then took an opportunity to try PKR, and we know how that went. Now he tries DAP, as he knows if – and this is a big if – the opposition wins the next polls, he will be the natural choice as most have been slowly bowing out.

He forgets that he is a DAP Malay, and you know how we all feel about DAP Malays.

Anonymous #70881335: Many people are long in ideals but short on courage. You are not alone, Zaid. Go to any coffee-shop chatter and you will see for yourself.

Hang Babeuf: “When seized with purpose and conviction, there are moments in life that can change your career significantly. Equally, when you allow such moments to pass you risk being left behind to languish in the lower reaches of power. You then face a long wait for another crest of the wave to carry your dream home – if such an opportunity even comes again. This is what happened to me in 1993.”

Shakespeare said it more sharply: “There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat. And we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures.”

The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. Over the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now.

These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.