KUALA LUMPUR: Former law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has defended PKR veteran Hassan Karim over calls and criticism for the latter to avoid making comments that could affect harmony in the unity government.
In a post on X, Zaid said Hassan, who is Pasir Gudang member of parliament, was among the last few "good guys" who was not only straightforward, but talked sense.
"But now everyone in Umno and PKR wants to roast (verbally attack) him, all because he suggested Umno get their act together to be stronger.
"What's wrong with giving friendly advice? Our leaders are so thin-skinned that the reaction to Hasan's statement was disproportionate, like they wanted to take action against him.
"Grow up, guys. Good MPs who have sound views are not many left," he said on X today.
Zaid also described the government's intolerance towards those exercising their right to speak as "worrying", especially after Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil warned that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission could act against those who questioned the Pardons Board's decision to commute the sentence on former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
"Instead of being unduly sensitive or worried about free speech, can the government sort out why so many Rohingyas are detained in depots that they had to riot to break free?
"What conditions were they put in? Why are our borders so porous? Why are there so many foreigners in the country? Are our border patrols adequate?
"Do some real work, please. You are there for this purpose," he added.
Yesterday, Hassan said he was ready should PKR choose to expel or initiate disciplinary proceedings against him for expressing his views.
In a Facebook post, he said he was not afraid to defend his freedom of expression, including his opinion that Umno needed a new face to lead the party.
He was responding to Fahmi's statement earlier, calling him to refrain from making comments that could "hurt" fellow component parties in the unity government.
Earlier this week, a local news portal reported Hassan calling for Umno to replace Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as it cannot afford to ride on Pakatan Harapan's "fragile" coat-tails in the next general election. (https://x.com/zaidibrahim/status/1753925054965170486?s=46&t=IaQLwDfybAFv...)
