Zaid Ibrahim's entry into PKR, following his resignation from the cabinet for opposing the abuse of the Internal Security Act, had been greeted with much fanfare.

A year-and-a-half later, the departure of this self-confessed man of principles from the PKR has garnered just as much public attention.

The man of the hour this morning spent 45 minutes fielding questions in a room packed with reporters, after announcing that his resignation would be effective from Dec 16.

Below are excerpts of today's much anticipated media conference, which began with a brief statement from Zaid.

Zaid : I want to thank those who have supported me, even though they realise that the risk is high, and some have even lost in the party polls, but still support me because they believe in my struggle.

I joined along with my children as lifetime members ... I paid the large fee (RM200) because I had believed this is the party that champions truth, transparency, will bring new hope to Malaysians... I never planned to form a new party.

zaid ibrahim quits pkr 191110 05 I have met with many leaders of small parties. I am close to Akim in Kelantan and I have met Yong Teck Lee from the SAPP. I have also helped the PSM. I met them because I want a strong opposition, a united one.

I don't want opposition parties to go against one another as this is detrimental to the Pakatan. I have explained what I was doing to PKR, PAS and DAP, nothing was confidential.

They may try to question my integrity and character, but I still have my supporters - many believe in my political journey and efforts to discredit me will not succeed.

Leaders with no self-confidence will always try cause the downfall of others, harbouring the hope that people will see them as the true leader.

Media : How do you think the party will receive your resignation letter?

I think they would be happy. ( De facto leader) Anwar (Ibrahim) said yesterday that I am free to leave . (Outgoing deputy president) Syed Husin (Ali) and (vice-president) Azmin (Ali) will be happy.

Why December 16, and not immediately, and what will be your plans for the next three weeks?

NONE I like December 16, just like Anwar likes September 16 [laughs]. But he said that on September 16 many parliamentarians would join the party. I will not promise that people will join me on December 16.

I will work with my supporters, the people of this country and I will prepare myself for the next election. If we have the resources and support, we may form a new party so that people have a choice.

Those who want to continue to hallucinate and dream for Anwar can continue. Those who want to see real politics in this country, founded on substantive policies and not just to perpetuate certain personalities like him, may choose my party.

Will your departure benefit the BN?

What makes you think PKR will be strong and viable even with me around with that sort of leadership? I don't think it is viable anyway. It is up to the people to decide.

Since 2008, the BN has made improvements and won by-elections in convincing ways. I don't think the strength in the BN always depends on what happens in the opposition but also in the BN itself.

If there is reform in the BN, in Umno, then they may gain popularity.

There are many issues which make voters decide, not just that they hate the BN or are pro-opposition. The strength of a political party depends on people's belief in you; that is important.

How will you convince your supporters, since you have flipped from the BN to the Pakatan, and now you quit?

I have no problem, only some armchair critics describe me as a quitter. If you look at my record in politics, I am a very strong, resilient fighter.

I was in Umno for 24 years, lost in Umno elections many times, was suspended from Umno, dropped as a candidate, and I never quit. They sacked me because of my open letter on ISA. That is a fact you must get right.

This is the first time in my political life that I have left a party, because I have no confidence in the party and they have no confidence in me, calling me a traitor. So how do I continue?

Instead of describing me as a quitter, describe me as a fighter. Of course, you wouldn't like that, I wouldn't like that either.

I'm not a hypocrite that sits in the cabinet, I don't agree with it and still... I am not (Information, Culture and Communications Minister) Rais Yatim, you see the difference? Rais can write books, theses about ISA, but in cabinet, he will support it 100 percent.

zaid ibrahim quits pkr 191110 03 I believe Malaysians can judge me against other leaders. What has Anwar stood for? If you look at his struggle, what is his struggle? The (thing) that helped him was the black eye.

He was convicted of corruption, abuse of power. When he was a minister, what reforms did he do? Look back. Don't be swayed... look at the facts.

I spent six months in the cabinet, I tried to change the judiciary. I did quite successfully in the limited time.

I compensated the judges and managed to get the support of (then prime minister) Abdullah Ahmad (Badawi) and he, too, was helpful in forming the Judicial Appointments Commission to transform how we appoint judges.

What did Anwar do in his years as finance minister and deputy prime minister? ( Zaid's supporters respond with "Correct! Correct! Correct!" ) These are records for people to analyse.

When will this (new) party be formed? What will this party bring to Malaysian politics?

Be patient [laughs]. I have to meet with my friends. We know that the general election is approaching so we want to form this party as soon as possible.

People seem to think that Anwar Ibrahim is the great reformer, that he is the saviour, that he is the future. I don't think so. I may be wrong but you'll never know until you find out.

I will try to present a different message and the people can decide what they want. I will bring a message of a political party with clarity in its stand, openness in dealings with members and the people. You don't fudge on issues, don't say something and do something else.

Whether the people are happy with Anwar or Pakatan is for them to decide, I have no problem. But they must at least know what they have before them.

Is the party going to be called Keadilan Baru?

(Laughs) No. I said that jokingly. Keadilan is Anwar's label. Let him have it.

Will many people follow you out of PKR?

NONE If I say so, people may say I'm lying but I believe there will be. PKR doesn't have too many members anyway. They say that there are 400,000 members, but those who attend meetings only make up about 20,000.

PKR is a party which has many lompong (empty gaps).

Will you sever ties with Pakatan Rakyat? Will your party be BN-friendly or Pakatan-friendly?

No, no, no, no. I will not sever any ties. To me everyone is a friend, but they have to be real. If they believe in real political transformation, then I am friendly with everybody.

I am an issue-related politician and I fight for the truth. I will not support politicians who talk nonsense, from the BN, Pakatan or PKR.

Do you believe that your move will severely impact Pakatan Rakyat?

I don't know. I am not a prominent leader like Anwar, who is said to be a 21st century leader. I am only a normal leader. You should ask PAS and the DAP.

Are you behind the 'third force'?

If you read the blogs, I am behind the third force, fourth force... I am neither. If I plan to do anything, I will announce it. So these claims that there is another group... I don't know... you have to ask Azmin (Ali) that.

Are you giving an option to those who don't like the BN or the Pakatan?

Maybe, if you don't like the BN or Anwar, maybe you choose (me).

How do you rate your chances in the general election, seeing that you don't have a party machinery?

I don't have it today but I may have it later [laughs]. In a general election we should not think so much about how many seats we can win and the number of supporters. What is important is for us to develop our message, to be able to explain our party's struggle.

Which seats are you eyeing to contest?

( A supporter responds "Kota Bharu" ) I don't know yet but I will definitely contest. You don't worry. If we fail to form a new party, although I think it will be hard to fail as Malaysia has many political parties, I will contest as an independent.

But I think it's better to contest as a party, with a few friends under the same banner. Politics can be a lonely business so it is better to have friends and supporters.

Are you disappointed with (vice-president) Mustaffa Kamil Ayub and (supreme council member) N Gobalakrishnan who at first appeared to support you and are now returning to Anwar?

You can't be disappointed in politics. If we can support, we do, and if we feel we need to withdraw our support, we do so. That is a personal decision, we have to live our own political lives.

Is PKR a family party?

PKR has many members, not just family members. Many of its members joined with high hopes that it will be a party that does not only prioritise certain members. If I am disappointed, I believe many more are too.

zaid ibrahim quits pkr 191110 01 I was taken aback to be accused of being desperate. Desperate to enter the PKR, lobbying to become the Hulu Selangor by-election candidate. That is not true. I took six months before joining the PKR. Those who know me as a politician will know that I have never lobbied to be a candidate.

In fact, I had even paid the deposit with my own money. I did not burden the party. But they feel otherwise [laughs]. I don't know. This is why I am disappointed with the fairy tales to portray Zaid as a power-crazy person.

What is your take on (former deputy secretary general) P Jenapala's move to sue the party?

I'm sure Anwar will accuse me of being behind this, just as I was accused of being behind Rahimi (Osman, Anwar's former aide who turned against his boss).

I don't know about Jenapala... what is his name? Jenabala? Jenapala... but I read the newspapers, and understand that the case will be heard next month. I have no comments as it is his right as a party member.

Zaid sends quit letter, vows to contest in GE

VIDEO | 9:16 min