Zaid plans to vie for PJ seat

(The Star) – Kita president Datuk Zaid Ibrahim is eyeing a parliamentary seat in Petaling Jaya in the next general election and is banking on urban voters to put him through.

“I am contesting a seat in Petaling Jaya, I think I still stand a chance although the next general election would not likely see another political tsunami like in 2008,’’ he said.

Zaid said he would rather contest against PKR as the party is now in reverse gear.

“However, we will not eye all the seats PKR is contesting,’’ he said.

Kita is also in the process of identifying other “winnable” seats in Selangor, Federal Territory and Perak.

Zaid said Kita would contest very few seats in Sabah and Sarawak due to financial constraints.

“However, we will work closely with the United Borneo Front and other independent parties,’’ he said.

He also reiterated that Kita would not align itself with either Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat.

“We will operate as an independent party. After the general election, we are open to options in the interest of the rakyat,’’ he said.

He added Kita would contest parliament and state seats based on a one-to-four ratio.

“For example, if we contest five parliamentary seats, our candidates will also stand in 20 state seats,’’ he said.

Kita (Kesejahteraan Insan Tanah Air) was formerly known as Angkatan Keadilan Insan Malaysia (Akim).

Zaid was elected as the new Akim chief during the party AGM on Dec 15 but has renamed and rebranded it as a multi-racial body.

The Registrar of Societies (ROS) has yet to approve the proposed changes to the party name and constitution but Zaid is confident of getting approval by next month.

Once ROS gives the nod, Kita would go on a roadshow in small and big towns to promote the party and its logo, he said.