KLANG – Despite flood relief efforts still underway in the royal town, newly formed Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) pushed ahead with a major event to announce the entry of some 50,000 members.
Based on an invitation received yesterday, the media was expecting an official launch of PBM at the Wyndham Acmar Klang Hotel.
Instead, the party declared the inclusion of new members from non-governmental organisation Penggerak Komuniti Negara (PKN).
Furthermore, Bersatu supreme council member Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin – rumoured to lead the party – was not present at the event attended by nearly 1,000 people.
Although some quarters had panned the party for holding the event in the flood-ravaged township, its members also held a flood relief drive to assist victims.
PKN chairman Nor Hizwan Ahmad said at a press conference that the NGO’s decision to have its members join the political party was based on a resolution that PKN made during its annual national convention earlier this morning.
He said the 50,000 individuals who joined the party today were among a total of 300,000 members from all 14 states in the country, adding that more are expected to sign up with PKN soon.
“Many of the (PKN) members have their own political inclinations, but today specifically, my friends and I, who are among 53,000 people, have agreed to join Parti Bangsa Malaysia,” he said.
“We are not merely entering the party – we are coming in with the offer of an agenda that focuses on six pillars.”
Nor Hizwan said the party’s pillars comprise multiracialism, upholding the youth, raising women to their rightful place, as well as advancing science and technology, education and the economy.
The pillars, he said, fell under “The Great Reset 2030” agenda of the party.
“Today, we are offering ourselves as members so that the leadership can adopt the agenda that we are bringing,” he said.
However, Nor Hizwan – Zuraida’s former political aide – did not indicate whether the party will be aligned with any coalition.
“This party will hopefully stand on its own. We are open to other discussions, but today our proposal is that we are not going to play second fiddle to anyone,” he said.
“We are (instead) going to rock the nation with a gold standard in Malaysian politics.”
“Zuraida is a minister from a government component party, and I see that she is working hard.
“It is not fair for me to answer for her on her behalf, but she is not here today – that’s obvious.”
Asked whether he was still a member of Bersatu, Nor Hizwan said he had resigned from the party several weeks ago.
He also did not indicate whether he was still aligned with Bersatu leaders such as Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin or Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.
“Basically, this is not about Azmin or Muhyiddin. I'm here to talk about the great reset of Malaysia, I’m here to talk about a new political party and platform.”
Nor Hizwan also said the leadership structure of the party has yet to be confirmed, as PKN will be holding a meeting on the matter soon.
Last month, former PKR members Steven Choong and Julau MP Larry Sng said they were setting up a new racially inclusive political party called Parti Bangsa Malaysia.
Choong, who serves as Tebrau MP, said five individuals will be named the party’s co-founders.
He said they include political leaders and workers who share similar ideas on their vision and mission.
He added that former prime minister Muhyiddin, who is also Bersatu president, was disappointed with the formation of the new party, as the Pagoh MP had been lobbying for Choong and Sng to join Bersatu. – The Vibes, December 21, 2021
