The Star Malaysia

Political landscape set to change

Perkasa’s Ibrahim unveils new party, another in Johor waiting for approval

- By HANIS ZAINAL and MOHD FARHAAN SHAH newsdesk@thestar.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: Two new political parties are set to emerge over the next few months that would change the Malaysian political landscape.

Controvers­ial politician Datuk Ibrahim Ali has unveiled a new political party which aims to represent the country’s bumiputra population.

Parti Bumiputra Perkasa Malaysia or Putra, aims to fight for the rights, well-being of the country, Islam and race, he said.

He added he had waited seven months for the Registrar of Societies (RoS) to approve the new party’s applicatio­n. Approval was obtained on Wednesday.

“The party is meant for those looking for a political party that will protect the bumiputra and Islam. It also aimed to reject corruption.

“We will not compromise (unlike) many main political parties after they win the elections.

“Even though the Federal Constituti­on defends religion, race and country, they (political parties) had compromise­d (on these aspects),” he said yesterday.

The party will have its first general meeting on May 22.

Ibrahim, who is president of Malay rights group Perkasa, sits as Putra’s temporary president.

In Johor Baru, Parti Patriotik Nasional (PPN) wants to be a “third force” in local politics and aims to provide an alternativ­e option for Malaysians, especially the youth.

Party secretary-general Mohd Zulkifli Abdul Fatah said the party’s applicatio­n was submitted to the RoS some six months back.

“We are confident that our applicatio­n will be approved in the coming weeks. PPN is headed and consists of youths and we are targeting members aged 40 years and below,” he said yesterday.

Mohd Zulkifli said PPN had contacted Tunku Temenggong Johor Tunku Idris Iskandar Ibni Sultan Ibrahim.

He said if it was true that Tunku Idris Iskandar wanted to contest in the 15th General Election, then the party would like to work with him.

Mohd Zulkifli said PPN was hoping to get positive feedback from Tunku Idris Iskandar soon, where the form of their cooperatio­n would be announced after holding an audience with the prince.

“The party’s principles are to uphold the Federal Constituti­on and Rukun Negara,” he said.

It was reported that Tunku Idris Iskandar, who is the second son of Johor’s Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, had hinted about contesting.

In an Instagram story, the prince posted a black and white picture of himself in formal dress, with the caption “I’m running #PRU15”.

It was also reported that the prince carried out a survey, where 75% of the respondent­s wanted him to contest in Muar while 25% chose Mersing.

 ??  ?? Charting a new course: Ibrahim (right) introducin­g the new Putra party to the media at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur.
Charting a new course: Ibrahim (right) introducin­g the new Putra party to the media at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur.

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