The new Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) aims to open a new chapter in Malaysian politics with their aspiration to turn it into a real multi-racial party where Malaysians of all races could feel at home in.

PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and her deputy Dr Syed Husin Ali said today that the newly merged opposition entity would generate a new political culture and a more idealistic social system based on justice, democracy, freedom, equality, unity and good for all.

The launching of PKR was held at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall in Kuala Lumpur this morning. However, the official nod for the merger between Keadilan and PRM has yet to come from the Registrar of Societies (ROS).

Two-year long process

Parliamentary Opposition Leader and Terengganu Menteri Besar Abdul Hadi Awang, DAP chairperson Lim Kit Siang, other opposition leaders, diplomats and non-governmental organisations' representatives were among the 2,000-strong crowd present.

The Keadilan-PRM merger process began two years ago. It is now helmed by a transitional 62-member supreme council.

In her maiden speech as PKR president, Wan Azizah described the merger as the continuation of a historic chapter in the nation's history, referring to the first multi-racial coalition formed 60 years ago and led by Dr Burhanuddin al-Helmy with Tan Cheng Lock.

"All this while, Malaysian politics has been one of divide-and-rule, pitting one race against another and each trying to outdo the other.

We don't want to participate in the game of demonstrating that we are more Malay than Umno, more Chinese than the MCA, or more Indian that the MIC... we merely want more justice for all," she told the gathering.

She said that PKR will formulate an agenda "for holistic changes to spring Malaysia forward into the twenty-first century".

"While this may be the first merger for Keadilan, it is certainly not the last as PKR will always be open to other political parties that share our common struggle for justice and democracy," Wan Azizah added..

17-point manifesto

In his address, Syed Husin stressed on PKR's 17-point manifesto, which among others calls for the establishment of a society that is just and a democratic, progressive and united nation. It also wants to promote the rule of law, an independent mass media and judiciary.

The veteran politician said he disagreed with talks that he has been "demoted" from the PRM presidency to deputy in the merged entity.

"We are all gratified that with the formation of PKR, we are able to take an important step to leave the old political culture, which is always obsessed with position or rank.

"We are happy for being able to put to practice the spirit of new politics, which is ever ready to serve the people, country and party in the best way possible, without regard of our position or lack of it. Isn't this in keeping with the new political culture that we wish to generate together with the launch of our party?" he posed to applause from the crowd.

Message from Anwar

Secretary-general Abdul Rahman Othman said the party aims to achieve a 400,000 membership within one month from the launching. The new party currently has 205,000 members.

He also delivered a message on behalf of PKR advisor and jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim who said the new party has brought citizens of diverse backgrounds and affiliations together in a vehicle to struggle for the betterment of Malaysians.

The launching also featured a short stage performance and an introduction of its transitional 62-member supreme council.

Syed Husin told reporters after the launching that the delay on the part of the ROS in approving the merged entity will not affect PKR's participation in the coming general election.

He explained this was because the new party is only required to register with the Election Commission to be eligible to contest the polls.