Zaid Ibrahim launches Parti Kita
Zaid Ibrahim's Parti Kita was launched in a razzle-dazzle ceremony this morning.
Zaid Ibrahim's Parti Kita was launched in a razzle-dazzle ceremony this morning at the Sime Darby Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur.
It was also an all-star event with many politicians from both sides in attendance.
Padang Serai MP N Gobalakrishnan, PPP president M Kayveas and representatives from Snap were at the event, as were former PKR leaders like Salehuddin Hashim and P Jenapala.
The launch appeared to have been organised by a professional event manager, and featured chic banners and an orange colour theme.
Radio DJ Shazmin Shamsuddin was the emcee, while bouncers in suits, ties and earpieces ensured "security".
Before Zaid delivered his keynote address, a countdown appeared on a huge screen, accompanied by the Rolling Stones' classic 'I Can't Get No (Satisfaction)'.
"We are no longer alone," said Zaid when he started addressing the crowd.
He also unveiled the new party song as well as logo, which showed two hands in the shape of the Malaysian map, caressing the word 'Kita'.
ROS change still unapproved
Zaid left PKR last year, citing dissatisfaction with the party polls process.
He assumed leadership in Akim, a small Kelantan-based party, before renaming it Parti Kesejahteraan Insan Tanah Air (Kita) at an extraordinary general meeting last December.
However, he revealed that the changes submitted to the Registrar of Societies (ROS) have yet to be approved.
"But it doesn't mean that we cannot use the name," he said, adding that he will definitely field candidates in the next general election, provided that the amendments are approved.
Without ROS approval, Parti Kita is still technically Akim, a PAS splinter party with 280 members.
It intends to become a national party that champions issues on a bipartisan level - it will not be drawn to either BN or Pakatan Rakyat.
Central secretary Abdul Latif A Tambi said the party may take a stab in the upcoming Sarawak elections by backing Independent candidates.
Met later, Gobalakrishnan (left) insisted that he is still a PKR member.
He said that he believes he will not be sacked from the party, "because (de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim) has said it is a democratic party".
Gobalakrishnan has been a vocal critic of Anwar since last December, having described him as "anti-Hindu" and uncaring about the welfare of Indians.
Meanwhile, Kayveas said that he was merely an old friend of Zaid's and was at the event on personal capacity and out of courtesy.
"This has nothing to with BN. PPP will remain with BN," he said, adding that he will not be unfazed by eventual criticism.
