Gerakan Harapan Baru (GHB) is not likely to take over Parti Kesejahteraan Insan Tanah Air or Kita, despite speculation being rife that this is GHB’s path to establishing itself as a new political party.
The new party, Amanah, which is supposed to replace PAS in a new opposition coalition with DAP and PKR, is supposed to be announced by Aug 31 or Sept 16. Kita was initiated by former minister Zaid Ibrahim after he left PKR.
It is learnt that GHB leaders are also having difficulties choosing a name for the new party as a key leader wanted to have the word "Islam" in it but others are more comfortable with the name "Amanah” (Trust).
Asked about GHB taking over Kita, Zaid ( photo ) said the party has offered the new group to take over its vehicle.
However, GHB, a splinter group from PAS, may be considering other parties as well.
"We were in talks with GHB pro-tem committee chief Mohamad Sabu a few months ago but I do not know the outcome of the discussions," Zaid told Malaysiakini.
"They are looking at other options as well and will probably do what is best for them," Zaid added.
"If they plan to take over Kita, I would have known it by now, since GHB leaders have said they would make the announcement of the new party soon."
Yesterday, Kita secretary-general Azmi Othman dismissed talk that a new party called Diplomatic Islamic Party (DIP) or Amanah would be set up on Aug 31 with the takeover of Kita by the GHB team.
Azmi said a check with the Registrar of Societies on Aug 19 showed that there was an attempt to falsify information on the party takeover by GHB.
He added that a report was lodged at the Kajang district police headquarters on this matter on Aug 20.
However, Zaid dismissed the report, saying that those in Kita who were making a brouhaha over the matter were "BN friendly".
"Some have ceased to members but still claim to be leaders of Kita. They are closely linked to those in power," Zaid added.
When contacted, Mohamad Sabu and Penang GHB pro-tem committee chief Mujahid Yusof Rawa declined to respond on the matter.
