PUTRAJAYA: Law Minister Senator Zaid Ibrahim says he's sticking to his quit decision as he is tired of opposition from within. He also raise did not rule out crossing over to the opposition.

Bernama reported him as saying that he faced opposition not only from his cabinet colleagues but also Umno members.

"There are many calls in the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara asking me to resign, that I am not a true Malay and Muslim fighter. But to me the Malays," he said.

Zaid told reporters during a press conference at his ministry here Tuesday (16 Sept), "I have thought it over and my decision stays although the prime minister, in our meeting yesterday, had asked me to go on leave," Zaid told reporters here Tuesday (16 Sept).

He said among the reasons for the decision was his failure to introduce new policies in the judicial system and his disappointment over the use of Internal Security Act (ISA) which he said had been abused.

He said he would stick to his quit decision despite being persuaded by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to stay on and go on leave in the meanwhile.

"Despite the Prime Minister suggesting that I take a leave, I thank him, but I'm not tired. I'm just disappointed. I don't want to take a leave. I adhere to my decision to resign," Sin Chew Daily reported.

Zaid also said that he hope everyone can forgive him if he has done anything wrong.

"I'm sorry and I have a setback. This is a decision of my wife, family, as well as myself," he said.

Zaid said that he has long been thinking of resigning and the government's recent arrest under Internal Security Act (ISA) is the main reason for his resignation.

"I never thought that the government would see journalists as terrorists and arrest them under ISA, I can't understand. Despite I'm not the relevant minister, but I'm responsible," he added.

Zaid also hoped that his resignation could bring BN and the government some positive changes and actions.

Meanwhile, Zaid said he has not decided yet whether to stay in Umno or join PKR, but he is keeping his options open.

He pointed out that it is hard to answer the question now as he has been facing criticisms from Umno and at the same time, he does not understand PKR well.

However, he said that he is not in a hurry. When being asked whether the opposition party approached him, he said no. But he stressed that some of his friends are from the opposition party. (Mysinchew)