Zaid vows to dispel PAS’s ‘extreme’ image

PETALING JAYA: Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim has vowed to dispel the perception that PAS is an extreme and undemocratic party unsuitable for Malaysia’s multicultural society.

In a Facebook post, Zaid argued that PAS was the only Malay-based party with the strength and resolve to get rid of inequality and class preferences.

“The essence of Islam will be the governing principle. Under PAS rule, you will not have a situation where we are described as equal, but some are in reality more equal than others.

“That’s why PAS will govern Malaysia together with like-minded progressive MPs after the next general election,” said the former Kota Bharu MP.

Yesterday, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan announced that Zaid was among 14 public figures who had applied to join the Islamic party.

Zaid said today he was officially welcomed as a PAS member last night.

Zaid, whose legal firm became one of Malaysia’s largest, was an outspoken advocate of judicial independence. He was named law minister in March 2008 but resigned in September that year over the government’s use of the Internal Security Act, which allowed detention without trial.

Zaid’s political journey has taken him from Umno, from which he was expelled in 2008, to PKR, Parti Kita, DAP and back to Umno in 2022.

He has been outspoken in favour of progressive politics and reforms and critical of Umno and its leader, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, as well as PAS and the opposition Perikatan Nasional.

In November 2024, Zaid criticised PAS, calling it a party that attracts only Malays in Perak, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu and has no support elsewhere.