Former information minister Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir today launched a new political party named Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan) which he claims to be 'pro-rakyat'.

"After struggling hard for more than two years and with the help of a court order, Ikatan is finally registered," Kadir said in his speech to some 300 people in attendance at the launching ceremony in Seri Kembangan.

Kadir said his party was neither pro-BN nor pro-opposition and was instead closely aligned with the spirit of the country's founding fathers and the aspirations of the country's future generations.

Interestingly, the Ikatan logo has an uncanny resemblance to the Umno logo.

Instead of a keris in the middle of a yellow circle, it has a silhouette of Malaysia's first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman when he declared the country's independence from the British.

Kadir also explained that the party's focus would not be on the next general election, which is due in 2018.

"Hence, we are free to push our position on the various issues facing the country that would bring maximum benefit to the rakyat, the country and to our future generations. We need not be 'populist'," Kadir added.

'We will be more issue-based'

Asked at a press conference held after the launch, Kadir said Ikatan would decide whether to contest in the next general election when the time comes.

As to whether the party planned to work together with other political parties, Kadir reiterated that the party is not placing its focus on the next general election.

"We are more concerned about various issues in the country. As such, we will be more issue-based.

"If we are on the same wavelength with Pakatan (Rakyat) on certain issues, then we are with them. It's the same if the government has good policies. What is good for the rakyat, we will give our support," he said.

He also expressed confidence that many out there will support the party.

"Many want to support us, but they are probably scared that they will not get contracts.

"Many out there support us. But I prefer new faces. Although they are new, they know what's happening in the country," he said, adding that the party will be guided by the values of the country's founding fathers.

Pointing out how the current spirit has veered far from the spirit then, issues such as corruption and power abuse are rampant today, he said.

"Back then, all these things did not happen. Our leaders knew that they cannot touch the rakyat's money," Kadir said, adding that the rakyat were initially successful due to the strong foundations set by the founding fathers.

Nevertheless, as based on 6,000 years of human history, Kadir said bad habits would set in for any government that remains in power for more than 30 years, continuously.

"The present government in our country has been in power continiously for more than 57 years. It is not surprising that decadence and corrupt practices have set in.

"Corrupt practices are committed on a huge scale, without any feeling or consideration for the ordinary rakyat," he said.

Kadir also expressed confidence that without corruption, Malaysia would have long become a high income and developed country.

"When you are already corrupt, it comes naturally to abuse power, which leads to wastage.

"If the political leadership is like that, when those under you want to steal a little, you close one eye.

"Because if you don't, then your secret will be out. So it's just like 'I scratch your back, you scratch mine'," he said.

Expedite 1MDB probe

Stressing that he was speaking on behalf of the souls of those who have passed on, Kadir added that he believes they were all "crying in their graves" as they looked at the country's current state.

He also denied that he had launched the party because he was "ambitious".

"I have been a minister, I even had to 'pujuk' Pak Lah (former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) for nine months for him to let me resign.

"I deserve to have a good life, but I can't sleep soundly thinking about our founding fathers," he said.

Asked on whether the party supported former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad or Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak in the tiff between the two, Kadir said his party would wait for investigations that are currently under way.

"If the prime minister is wrong, then he is wrong and he will be punished. If he is not wrong, then what can we do?

"We just want investigations on 1MDB to be expedited. If he is not wrong, we won't say he is in the wrong because that would be opportunistic politics," he said.

Asked to comment on Najib's leadership, Kadir said he preferred not to be "personal".

"We will not be personal in fighting for issues," he said.

Meanwhile, the 76-year-old said they were determined to be a "massed-based" party with divisions and branches throughout the country.

"On Malaysia Day (Sept 16), we hope to introduce to the rakyat the whole national leadership of Ikatan from all over the country.

"The recruitment drive for members starts today and those interested can register online," he said.

Apart from Kadir's speech and the press conference today, the launch saw party members leading the audience in reciting the "Rukun Negara".

The "Amanat Merdeka" of the country's first prime minister was read by Tunku Abdul Rahman's grandson, Tunku Muinuddin Putra, who is also Ikatan's vice-president.