Nazir: It’s an idea for an NGO, not a political party

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Nazir Razak (pic) has denied news reports claiming that he is behind the setting up of a political party.

It is not a new political party, just an idea of setting up a non-governmental organisation (NGO), says the brother of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“I refer to recent news reports that I am setting up a new political party. This is not true,” said the CIMB Group chairman in a statement yesterday.

Nazir said he had been growing “increasingly concerned” about the Malaysian socio-political environment and its impact on the economy.

“In this context, I have had conversations with like-minded friends, including Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, about the need to better enable moderate Malaysians to voice their views, concerns and suggestions,” said Nazir.

“We have discussed setting up an NGO but it remains just an idea at this moment.”

A news report that said Nazir was starting a new non-partisan party to reach out to all races emerged on Tuesday.

It said Nazir had been meeting with business leaders in Britain and Kuala Lumpur.

The report came out after DAP’s announcement that the Pakatan Rakyat coalition was dead, saying it no longer existed after the motion by PAS to sever ties with DAP.