Over 50k members from NGO linked to Zuraida join new party

Over 53,000 members of Penggerak Komuniti Negara (PKN), an NGO linked to Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin, are joining Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM).

This was announced by Zuraida's former political secretary and PKN chairperson Nor Hizwan Ahmad (above) at a convention held by the NGO, which passed a resolution to join the new party established by Julau MP Larry Sng.

For the record, Nor Hizwan is also the chief executive officer of Malaysian Rubber Council, which is under Zuraida's ministry.

Speculation had been rife that Zuraida, who is also Bersatu supreme council member, might ditch the Umno splinter party for the newer PBM. 

Zuraida reportedly said she will consider taking up the post of PBM president if offered.

Six pillars

Established in June 2020, PKN was part of the then Perikatan Nasional government's implementation of the National Community Policy under the Housing and Local Government Ministry, which was helmed by Zuraida then.

While announcing that PKN members were joining the new party at the convention, Nor Hizwan pledged to push for the main agenda of PBM, known as "The Great Reset 2030".

He said they will focus on six pillars - being a multiracial party, representing the voices of the youth, championing the rights of women, education, science and technology.

"Thirty years of stagnation and political immaturity have cost us greatly. The people were divided because some parties have systematically created such an understanding so that we are still bound by racial sentiments and constant politicking."

This is something that needs to be corrected, he said, adding: "We are not here to be a second-fiddle political party. We are here to rock the nation."

"I hereby announce that a total of 53,109 (PKN) members nationwide will join the new party. This is really an open party that appreciates all races in Malaysia," he said.

New political platform

Nor Hizwan also announced that he quit Bersatu a few weeks ago.

He said PBM may hold an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to choose its new leadership.

Sng, who founded PBM last month, was elected as PBM deputy president in the party's EGM on Nov 14.

Nor Hizwan also dismissed a question on losing confidence in the leadership of Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin and supreme council member Azmin Ali.

"Basically this is not about Azmin and Muhyiddin. I am here to talk about the great reset, I am here to talk about a new political party and new political platform as well as our agenda to bring what we call as the great reset," he told a press conference after the convention.  - Mkini