Former PKR Federal Territories chief Zaid Ibrahim will not be quitting the party immediately, but will do so in a month from now.

He told a packed press conference today that he has submitted his resignation letter to the PKR headquarters today, effective Dec 16.

Zaid has also vowed that come rain or hailstorm, he intends to contest in the next general election, either as an independent or as a candidate of a new party.

zaid ibrahim quits pkr 191110 05 "I will definitely contest in the next general election. If we fail to start a new party - although it is hard to fail because Malaysia has so many parties - then it will have to be as an independent (candidate)," he told reporters this morning at his home in Tropicana.

"But politics is a lonely game, so it is better to contest with some friends under the same banner," he said of his plans to form a new political party.

Asked why he chose his resignation in one month's time - on Dec 16 - he said, "Why December 16? Well, if he ( de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim) likes September 16, then I like December 16."

It is understood that the party secretariat has acknowledged receipt of the letter. Zaid, who was flanked by about 10 supporters at the press conference, will spend the next three weeks speaking to his supporters.

He is expected to use the window of opportunity before he officially quits the party to go on a nationwide roadshow to meet as many PKR members as possible.

Not a sore loser

Reading from a written statement, Zaid said that his departure from the party was due to "allegations and slander" from top party leaders.

zaid ibrahim quits pkr 191110 04 Among others, he claims that they have accused him of acting in bad faith, shown no loyalty to the party, is lazy, contributed little to the party and failed to understand the party's struggles.

"Anwar Ibrahim himself has labelled me a 'Trojan horse' and 'sore loser'. I am unwilling to work with leaders who like to insult others, such as what they did to me," said Zaid.

Again invoking his resignation from the cabinet in 2008, Zaid said he had resigned based on the principle of 'collective responsibility' after he disagreed with the government's decision to arrest three individuals under the Internal Security Act.

"

zaid ibrahim quits pkr 191110 03 This time, I am quitting because it is appropriate for me to do so when I'm no longer trusted by the top leadership who regard me as a traitor.

"I am not a coward nor am I a kaki merajuk (sore loser). I will continue to be with my friends in politics and (continue my) struggle for healthy and responsi

ble politics to defend the public," he said.

Harsh parting words  

Zaid, who recently quit the deputy president race amidst allegations of irregularities, also expressed his disappointment with PKR leaders who had criticised him, accusing him of trying to destroy the party.

"I never had ill-intentions. I joined the party as a lifetime member, along with my children... because we believed that this was the party of reform and transparency, which would bring hope to this country. I never had plans to start a new party," he said.

He added that he has built a rapport with small parties such as the Kelantan-based Akim and Sabah-based SAPP in the bid to create a strong opposition.

zaid ibrahim quits pkr 191110 02 "If I was in charge of PKR, there would never  have been a three-cornered fight in Batu Sapi.

"Those who want to continue with the hallucination and dream of (change by) Anwar can do so, but those who want real politics based on policies and issues and not just the perpetuation of certain personalities, (can join me).

"What has Anwar stood for? His black eye helped him, but what (reforms) did he bring about as a minister? Look at the facts," he said.

Harsh parting words notwithstanding, Zaid claimed that he was not severing ties with PKR nor Pakatan Rakyat and is willing to work with the opposition coalition and the BN on certain issues.

Q & A: 'Anwar is not the great saviour'

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