Zaid: Kita was a mistake

PETALING JAYA: Kita has only just passed its one year mark but has already been deemed a “mistake” and is en route to a dissolution.

Party chief Zaid Ibrahim announced the decision in a tweet this morning that simply stated “Kita will be dissolved soon”. In an ensuing media statement, Zaid said that an Extraordinary General Meeting would be held soon to dissolve the party.

The move, he explained, was neccesary to put an end to all doubt of Kita’s support for Pakatan Rakyat in light of its Kedah and Penang branches being openly critical of the opposition.
“They have been doing this on a regular basis, making it clear that they are not interested in real issues affecting the country and merely want to embarrass and ridicule the opposition,” Zaid stated.

The Kedah chief is Zamil Ibrahim while Nibong Tebal MP, Tan Tee Beng, heads the Penang branch.

Both have been very vocal in their criticism of both Zaid and Pakatan’s conduct.

Zaid admitted that he had failed in his attempt to set up a political party that supported moderate and progressive ideas, and bring civility and decorum to the political discourse.

“I have not succeeded in bringing in enough members who are interested in democratic ideals, good governance and accountability amongst public officials,” he said.

“I have also not been able to raise sufficient funds to manage the party’s activities, and friends who had promised to help have since decided otherwise.”

The former law minister added that the media’s interest in “petty issues” affecting the party was also another indication of the difficulties it faced.

“There are enough people out there who are just interested in criticising my leadership of Kita, and who manufacture stories to ridicule me,” he said.

“The Malays have a proverb ‘jika sesat di penghujung jalan, kembalilah ka pangkal jalan’ (if you get lost along the way, go back to the beginning”. I realise now that forming Kita was a mistake.”
Zaid nevertheless said that he wasn’t disheartened and pledged to continue doing his part until he can help bring about change for the betterment of the country.

“I will not waiver in my deep-seated belief that serving the public is good, and that we can carry out this service with honour and dignity,” he emphasised.

“To the genuine members of the party who are obviously unhappy with this decision, I seek your forgiveness. I appreciate your support and I hope you will accept this decision, for it is for the greater good of the opposition.”

“The survival of democracy depends on the viability of the opposition. If it is destroyed then there can be no democarcy, no freedom and no moderate policies ever again.”