People's Welfare Party (Malaysia) Explained

Country:Malaysia
Parti Kesejahteraan Insan Tanah Air
Native Name:People's Welfare Party
Abbreviation:KITA
Leader1 Title:Chief
Leader1 Name:Masrum Dayat
Founder:Musa Salih (AKIM)
Zaid Ibrahim (KITA)
Foundation:AKIM: 16 February 1995[1]
KITA: 18 January 2011[2]
Predecessor:Malaysian People Justice Front (AKIM)
Split:Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS)
Headquarters:Petaling Jaya, Selangor[3]
Youth Wing:Pemuda KITA
Membership:20,000[4]
Ideology:Social justice
Social democracy
Colours: Orange
Colorcode:
  1. FF7F00
Seats1 Title:Dewan Negara
Seats2 Title:Dewan Rakyat
Seats3 Title:Dewan Undangan Negeri

The People's Welfare Party[5] or Parti Kesejahteraan Insan Tanah Air (KITA) is a small political party in Malaysia, based in the state of Kelantan.[6]

History

Founded as AKIM (1995)

The party was formerly known as the Malaysian People Justice Front or Angkatan Keadilan Insan Malaysia when it was founded on 16 February 1995. AKIM was founded as a splinter party of Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party in 1995 following internal disagreements by members within the party. A few members from Parti Melayu Semangat 46 also joined the fray following its dissolution in 1996.[7] AKIM contested in the 1999 general elections for the parliamentary seats of Pasir Puteh and Kota Bharu but failed.[8]

In 2008, the party's president, Hanafi Mamat registered itself to participate in the Permatang Pauh by-election, but only managed to catch 92 votes in the election and losing his RM 15,000 deposit in the process. Nevertheless, he hoped that the election could serve as a platform to introduce the party to the nation.

Relaunched as KITA (2011)

On 13 December 2010, AKIM announced that Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has joined its ranks as a party member, with the view of having Zaid lead and revamp AKIM into a viable political party for the coming 13th Malaysian General Elections.[9] The party further explained that Zaid had submitted his membership application to join AKIM in Nov 2010 after his former party, Parti Keadilan Rakyat, accepted Zaid's resignation.

During the party's annual general meeting on 15 December 2010, Zaid Ibrahim was elected as the party's new president (later called "Party Chief"), taking over from Zakaria Salleh, the outgoing president of AKIM.[10] The party also announced that it will be adopting a new name, the People's Welfare Party or Parti Kesejahteraan Insan Tanah Air.[5]

Zaid Ibrahim also announced that KITA would be a multi-racial democratic party open to all races in Malaysia and despite its current small size, aims to make an impact in the country's political scene by focusing on goals for the long haul.[11] Zaid also announced that KITA's official party ideology and principles, including its new constitution, manifesto and logo, will be unveiled in Kuala Lumpur on 18 January 2011.

Zaid Ibrahim sought to dissolve KITA in February 2012,[12] and resigned as its chief later that year due to quarrels within the party.[13] [14]

GHB takeover rumours

In 2015, the party once again were in the news as Gerakan Harapan Baru (GHB) movement through its Penang interim chairman committee, Mujahid Yusof Rawa announced GHB intention to takeover the party and rebrand it as a new party for the PAS dissidents.[15] However the rumour has been dismissed by then KITA secretary-general, Azmi Othman.[16] GHB later completed the takeover of another party, Parti Pekerja Malaysia and rebrand it as Parti Amanah Negara (AMANAH or PAN).

Presidents/Party Chief

Presidents

Party Chief

General election results

ElectionTotal seats wonSeats contestedTotal votesVoting PercentageOutcome of electionElection leader
1995 (as AKIM)2
No representation in Parliament
Musa Salih
1999 (as AKIM)1
No representation in Parliament
Mohd Din Nizam Din
201326230.01%
No representation in Parliament
Masrum Dayat

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pertandingan tiga penjuru . 26 October 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141012074924/http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0817&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Muka_Hadapan&pg=mh_02.htm . 12 October 2014 . dead .
  2. Web site: Zaid Ibrahim launches Parti Kita . 19 January 2011 . M.malaysiakini.com . 8 December 2015.
  3. Web site: Small step for Akim . 27 October 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080916091706/http://www.mmail.com.my/Small_step_for_Akim.aspx . 2008-09-16 . dead .
  4. https://web.archive.org/web/20211118213734/http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=24790 Surprise small fish takes on Anwar and Arif Shah.
  5. Web site: Zaid resurrects political career, appointed new party chief . https://web.archive.org/web/20101217082628/http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/fmt-english/politics/pakatan-rakyat/14199-zaid-resurrects-political-career-appointed-new-party-chief . 17 December 2010 . FreeMalaysiaToday . 15 December 2010 . dead.
  6. Web site: Leong . Trinna . Former Malaysian law minister Zaid Ibrahim joins opposition Democratic Action Party . The Straits Times . 14 July 2020 . 7 February 2017.
  7. Book: The Far East and Australasia 2003. Eur. Routledge. 2002. 797. 1-85743-133-2.
  8. Web site: Calon AKIM Yakin Mampu Menang Di Permatang Pauh . 26 October 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110524125438/http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/bm/news_lite.php?id=353213 . 2011-05-24 . dead .
  9. http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/zaid-ibrahim-now-an-akim-member/ Zaid Ibrahim now an Akim member
  10. http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/12/15/nation/20101215112359&sec=nation Akim renamed to Kita, Zaid is now the Party Chief
  11. http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/zaid-kita-not-in-pakatan-fold/ Zaid: Kita not in Pakatan fold
  12. Web site: Press statement on the future of Parti KITA . Parti KITA . 14 July 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120323023203/http://www.partikita.com/?p=776 . 23 March 2012 . 7 February 2012.
  13. Web site: Tan . Tarrence . No basis for ROS ultimatum, says KITA chief . https://web.archive.org/web/20141010065052/http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/12/22/no-basis-for-ros-ultimatum-says-kita-chief/ . dead . 10 October 2014 . Free Malaysia Today . 22 December 2012 . 22 June 2014 .
  14. Web site: Zaid: Why am I not asked to stand? . The Star . 14 July 2020 . 2 April 2018.
  15. Web site: GHB ambil alih parti KITA, alternatif kepada PAS - Mujahid . www.astroawani.com . 8 July 2024 . ms . 31 July 2015.
  16. Web site: . KITA dismisses report of GHB takeover of party . www.malaymail.com . 8 July 2024 . 26 August 2015.
  17. http://members.tripod.com/ris20204/_disc2/000003ad.htm Akibat Menentang PAS
  18. http://members.tripod.com/ris20204/_disc2/000003c6.htm Gabungan Parti Tajaan BN
  19. https://web.archive.org/web/20101217033627/http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2010%2F12%2F16%2Fnation%2F7631959&sec=nation Five MPs may join Zaid’s new Kita
  20. http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/akim-renamed-kita-zaids-president/ Akim renamed Kita, Zaid’s president