Datuk Zaid Ibrahim

The new law society committee has just completed the maiden task of its tenure. It was by no means an easy one considering the magnitude of the speaker we are inviting into our uni. I was quite impressed how the previous boss managed to get such a connection. The whole lecture theater was packed with students and lecturers who were eagerly anticipating what he has to say on his topic of "National Integration after 51 years of independence".

As we all know, Datuk Zaid is no stranger to media attention. Being the founder of one of the biggest law firms in Malaysia, he is well-known and respected in the legal fraternity. He's one lawyer that turned into a politician, just like many others before him. After the March 2008 elections, he was made the Law Minister by PM Badawi. Previously, he was the MP for Kota Bahru. His outspoken opinions and criticism on the way the government has handled the judiciary and human rights have placed him on an uneasy tension with his UMNO colleagues. In September 2008, he resigned from the cabinet and his ministerial post following his strong disagreement with the government over the use of ISA to arrest RPK, Theresa Kok and a newspaper reporter. Just a week ago or so, Datuk Zaid created headlines when he made some scathing attacks on incoming PM Najib and even did the unthinkable in making a plea to the Agong to stop Najib from becoming PM. Of course, that followed by a barrage of retaliatory remarks from his former colleagues. Speculations are also rife on which political party he is going to join next.

As he is rushing off for a flight back to his hometown, he could only provide a 1 hr talk. Nevertheless, it was a fantastic and marvelous speech by him. He was easy-going and made a few jokes on the attention that is currently focused on him. You get the feeling that he's a very sincere and humble person when you hear him speak. He's someone with a strong conscience and he himself will not compromise on those fundamental principles that defines him. And that was why he was willing to pay the price when he refused to continue on his Cabinet minister term as he strongly disagreed with the way the government is handling things. He is one who understands the workings of the constitution and the judiciary inside out. Most importantly, he understood what it meant to be a MALAYSIAN. Datuk, we the rakyat are truly inspired by the sacrifice you had made in bravely standing up for what is right.

After studying at a country down south for a couple of years, I find that the people down there always tend to get the impression that every single Malaysian leader is race-based and is corrupted and therefore Malaysia has no hope as opposed to their own all-white big brother party who gave them "good governance". Even among the Chinese community in this country, quite a number of them are still oblivious and ignorant about the people that have been fighting for their rights behind the scene. Some of them just stereotyped that all Malays are the same. That's the mentality of the people who are close-minded. Like I say many times before, there is a need to distinguish between the party and the people. The heroes of the yesteryears like Tunku Abdul Rahman, Dato Onn Jaafar and Tun Dr. Ismail can all be seen replicated in today's figures like Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, Marina Mahathir and Azmi Sharom. Even from the PAS, Tok Guru Nik Aziz and Nizar Jamaluddin are of respected leaders. Today's heroes list are further extended with names like Karpal Singh, Lim Kit Siang and Lee Lam Thye who have never ceased to give up in forging Bangsa Malaysia. The list is by no means exhaustive because everyone contributes something to make this country a better place. This country may be filled with maladies of all kinds but the beauty of this place is that there are people who are willing to stand up and join the struggle for their democratic rights of a better Malaysia even though the odds are against them.

With that, I wish all the best to Datuk Zaid then. I hope to see him someday being the Law Minister again, with the right party and government of course..haha.