Leaders of Kesejahteraan Insan Tanah Air (Kita) from five states today resolved to block any move by Kita president Zaid Ibrahim to dissolve the fledgling party.

NONE Speaking at a press conference in Putrajaya, its Kedah chief Zamil Ibrahim said that the five states came to the decision after meeting with members to discuss Zaid's announcement yesterday.

"Our resolution is not to dissolve the party and to carry on as usual.

"We view Zaid's statement as his personal opinion and if he fails (to dissolve the party at the extraordinary general meeting), he must step down," Zamil said.

Zamil was flanked by Johor Kita chief Mohd Zaid Mohd Yusof and Selangor chief Azmi Othman.

He and Mohd Zaid also claimed to be speaking on behalf of Penang Kita chief Tan Tee Beng and Sabah chief Osman Rauf.

“The party constitution says he needs three quarters of members’ support to dissolve the party. With five states opposing, can he do that?” Zamil asked.

Announcement sprang surprise

Zamil said local leaders have vowed to keep the party alive regardless of Zaid’s moves, like how Umno was kept alive despite being banned about three decades ago.

According to the leaders, Zaid’s announcement came as a surprise as state or grassroots leaders had not been consulted.

“Our last meeting at central level was last month and that was about forming a youth wing,” Zamil said.

penanti aminah ceramah 300509 zamil ibrahim.jpg At state level, he said Kedah and Penang members are calling for Zaid’s immediate resignation since he has admitted to have failed as a leader.

“I feel ghalat (extreme discomfort) having a leader who is unprincipled like Zaid.

“His announcement was very irresponsible towards the party machinery and he should step down instead of dragging us down with him,” he said.

He said Kedah and Penang were particularly mentioned in Zaid’s statement yesterday simply because they had made statements against Pakatan Rakyat.

“This party was founded to be independent and not siding with Pakatan or BN,” he said.

Taking a softer stand, Johor’s Mohd Zaid said that the state’s members are calling for the former de facto law minister to reconsider his decision to call for a dissolution.

“I met him yesterday evening to express this and to remind Zaid that we were founded on the principles of moderation, democracy and liberalism,” he said.

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