KUALA LUMPUR – Former PKR members Steven Choong and Julau MP Larry Sng are setting up a new racially inclusive political party called Parti Bangsa Malaysia.
Tebrau MP Choong told Oriental Daily that another five individuals will be named the party’s co-founders.
Choong said they include political leaders and workers who share similar ideas on their vision and mission.
“The new party will be taking a diversified path, and we welcome independent parliamentarians to join us. We are also extending a hand to those who have not joined any other political party after quitting PKR.”
Choong said Parti Bangsa Malaysia has similarities to the name of an existing political party.
“Even after an amendment to our party name, it was still objected to by a political party of six years with a similar name. We are currently waiting for an approval from the Registrar of Societies,” he said.
Choong said he was the one who had proposed setting up the new party, and added that while the party would be led by a Malay president, they would not be an MP.
He said former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Bersatu president, was disappointed with the formation of the new party as he had been lobbying for Choong and Sng to join Bersatu.
“Bersatu is not in line with my political beliefs, so we decided to create a new party based on our shared political ideals. We hope that our party will be a home to independent lawmakers and provide an alternative voice in Parliament.”
Since their withdrawal from PKR on February 28, Choong and Sng have remained independent MPs. – The Vibes, November 19, 2021
