Former minister Kadir launches new multi-racial party

(From left) Vice president Tunku Muinuddin Putra Tunku Nerang Putra, party president Kadir, vice-president Datuk Tony Looi and information chief Tunku Prof Dr Fauzi Malek at the launching of the party.

SERI KEMBANGAN: A new player will be seen in the local political scene with the launch of Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan).

The multi-racial party led by veteran politician Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir aims to represent a "true bangsa Malaysia that is united, fair and just."

Abdul Kadir, who served as Tourism and Information Minister, added that the party is not allied to the ruling or opposition party, but the "souls" of the country's founding fathers - Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Tan Cheng Lock, Tun Dr Ismail, Tun V.T. Sambanthan and others - who fought for the country's independence and growth since.

"The leaders are crying in their graves looking at the state of the country now," he said.

During his speech, Abdul Kadir said that the present government had been in power for more than 57 years.

"Democratic principles and human rights which were upheld and moulded so beautifully in our early years are now being blatantly abused," he said, adding that history has proven that any country led by the same leadership for more than 30 years will lead to decadence.

Abdul Kadir said the country's "founding fathers" had left a strong foundation to build the country on but abuses of power, extravagance, greed, pride and arrogance have stopped the country from reaching its full potential.

"Malaysia should have become a high income and developed country a long time ago. Tragically, the opposite is happening," he said.

Abdul Kadir said the country and its people are facing "great danger", and the new multi-racial political party was formed to stop the "rot" and rectify matters.

"Ikatan hopes for our party to be a mass-based party with divisions and branches in every state, parliament constituency and villages," he said.