Five independent members of parliament have announced the formation of Konsensus Bebas (Independent Consensus) to act as an "effective, independent and non-partisan parliamentary bloc".

NONE Its members are Wee Choo Keong (Wangsa Maju), Zahrain Mohamad Hashim (Bayan Baru), Tan Tee Beng (Nibong Tebal), Mohsin Fadzli Samsuri (Bagan Serai) and Zulkifli Nordin (Kulim Bandar Baru).

"We believe the formation of Konsensus Bebas is the best solution for us as members of parliament to present issues of national and public interest collectively and effectively," Zahrain told a press conference in the Parliament lobby today.

The group aims to form the 'third force' in the Dewan Rakyat after leaving PKR in recent months.

Zahrain claimed that the bloc will be able to accomplish its responsibilities without the patronage of any political party.

“Political parties have failed the aspirations of the people for reform, as manifested by the 2008 general election (outcome). Konsensus Bebas will strive to restore the rakyat’s hope and conviction in reform,” he said.

“ Konsesus Bebas will act without any political self-interest, solely in the interests of the rakyat and the nation.”

The committee’s secretariat will be writing to inform Parliament about the bloc, while its website will be up and runnning in a couple of days.

'People are victims'

Zahrain said political parties are seen as placing the party agenda as their primary interest, while leaders are inclined to grab power.

zahrain mohamad hashim “The people are the victims of the struggle for power and position,” he said.

“Partisan politics have been plagued by intra-party conflicts for power and position, and aggravated by the brown-nosing culture. The rakyat’s demand for reform has been derailed.”

Konsensus Bebas

will support either the government or the opposition conditionally, and intends to offer “an effective voice in Parliament”.

Asked if the other three independent parliamentarians - Ibrahim Ali (Pasir Mas),  Chua Soon Bui (SAPP) and Eric Majimbun (SAPP) - will join the bloc, Zahrain said the matter has yet to be discussed.

nazri abdul aziz Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohamed Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz lauded the creation of the bloc.

“I think anything that enhances the performance of MPs is to be welcomed. I think they are organising themselves into a group so that they can divide up the subjects on which they will speak. If they are more organised, it’s better. They are the third force,” he said.