Dear Zaid Ibrahim,

I must say I admire you for your courage in resigning from the cabinet on the issue of the Internal Security Act and your efforts at trying to make amends for the judicial crisis in 1987. Congratulations. It is unfortunate that you did not win the Hulu Selangor by-election. I have read your book, I, too, am Malay and am truly inspired.

But I have yet to get a satisfactory answer on a few questions. I had been hoping more people to ask these questions but it seems that you are a darling of the liberal media which would not bother you on these issues. But I really hope to get honest answers on these questions.

First, the issue of your stand at the beginning of the judicial crisis in 1987. Was it true that you formed the Muslim Lawyers Association upon Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s instruction in order to counter the Bar Council’s critical stand?

Why did you form the association when we all knew that, at least at that point in your life, you led a very liberal lifestyle? While you claimed you did not endorse the sacking of Lord President Salleh Abas, you accepted Hamid Omar to chair the tribunal to try Salleh and distanced yourself from the Bar Council’s boycott of Hamid.

You continued with your battles with the Bar Council in 1992 when you proposed Justice Minister Syed Hamid Albar to be made president of the Bar Council.

Secondly, the growth of Zaid Ibrahim & Co to become Malaysia’s biggest legal firm. As much as I would like to think that Zico was a success on its own, many have pointed out that your firm was rewarded with contracts following your support for Mahathir during the judicial crisis and the Umno split.

Is it true you benefitted from Umno through the awards of contracts from UEM and Bakun? I remember you were even investigated for insider trading with Bashir Ismail and Bank Bumiputera chairperson and Renong Berhad executive chairperson, Halim Saad.

Thirdly, your love-hate relationship with PKR. My friends in Gerakan informed me that you considered joining Gerakan before actually joining PKR. I congratulate you for having that courage.

But shortly after being appointed to the Political Bureau, you then expressed your desire to take a six-month leave. Subsequently you returned to the Political Bureau. Yet you continued blogging against the party leadership.

Don’t get me wrong, I am all for freedom of speech but also there should be collective responsibility. Why, if you are really unhappy with PKR, accept the nomination for Hulu Selangor and subsequently as Wilayah Perseketuan PKR chief?

While you have criticised the party at many junctures, I believe to be fair, the party has given you many responsibilities in spite of being new and critical. It would be good once in a while for you to have something good to say to friends who have been in the party much longer than you have.

I hope you can answer these questions so that I can truly be assured of your commitment to change and reform.