Updated: Monday November 10, 2008 MYT 1:08:42 PM

Umno issues Zaid Ibrahim showcause letter (updated)

By ROYCE CHEAH

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno has issued a showcause letter to controversial politician Datuk Zaid Ibrahim for his open letter and meeting with MPs on repealing the Internal Security Act (ISA).

At a press conference in his office here Monday, the former de facto law minister said he received the letter “a couple of weeks ago.”

“Apparently they found the letter (on the ISA) offensive and believe I had violated some rules in the party.

“They are also not happy that I attended the MPs meeting organised by Pakatan Rakyat at Parliament as I was still a Senator at the time,” he said.

Zaid said he had lent his support to the issue itself, not to support DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, PAS or Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“According to them, it’s not what an Umno fellow should do. But it does not really bother me. I will let my lawyer handle it,” he said.

When asked if he had received a letter regarding his speech at the recent LawAsia conference where he talked about Ketuanan Melayu (Malay supremacy), Zaid said he had read news reports that there would probably be some action taken.

“But there will be many more speeches I will make, so my future looks bleak.”

Zaid had revealed the issuance of the showcause letter when he was asked if he would stay in Umno. Some members unhappy with his stance on the ISA and Ketuanan Melayu have issued strong statements against him.

He said it was no big deal whether or not he would leave Umno, even if he continued to get showcause letters for speaking out.

When asked later on what the future holds for him, Zaid he said he could make contributions in his own small way by ensuring smooth race relations, democracy and justice prevailed.

“It may be more effective if I speak independently on some of these issues,” he said.

He added that these were difficult issues for any political grouping to handle and one would have to compromise somewhat as a member of a political party.

When contacted, Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor confirmed that the party issued the letter asking Zaid to explain his open letter and why he attended the MPs’ meeting.

“He has until Nov 15 to reply. We will then take it up to the management committee for further action,” he said.