Najib: Kita an example of thriving democracy

By The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: The emergence of a new political party is a clear indication that democracy in Malaysia is active and vibrant, said Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

The Prime Minister said it showed anyone could form a political party.

“As long as their activities are in accordance with the law, there is no problem.

“They can contest (in elections) and do other things,” he said after launching the national youth fund, Dana Belia 1Malaysia, here yesterday.

He was commenting on Parti Kesejahteraan Insan Tanah Air (Kita), launched on Wednesday by Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, a former Umno and PKR supreme council member who now heads the new party.

Najib, who is Umno president and Barisan Nasional chairman, said he also did not see anything wrong for PPP president Datuk M. Kayveas to attend the Kita launch.

“It’s okay, it’s all right … we don’t fight with everybody. Sometimes, we can be civil with one and another,” he said.

The presence of Kayveas, who leads a Barisan component party, caused a stir as Kita is not linked to the ruling coalition.

On another matter, Najib said he would consider everything before deciding on whether to hold the next general election together with the Sarawak state election.

“In (calling for) an election, anything is possible. Can you wait and see?” he asked, responding to questions on the possibility of having both elections simultaneously.

Regarding a fresh poll for the Merlimau state seat in Malacca, following the death of incumbent state assemblyman Datuk Hidhir Abu Hassan, Najib said: “It is unavoidable. It is totally unexpected that we will face another by-election.

“I believe the Malacca Barisan will make the necessary preparation.”