KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 — After more than two years struggling to get his new party registered, former minister Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir today launched Parti Ikatan Bangsa (Ikatan) which he claims is neutral in its political stance.

Local news portal The Malaysian Insider reported the former information minister as saying in his launch speech at a hotel here that the new party does not side with either Barisan Nasional (BN) or Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

“Alhamdulillah, after working hard for more than two years and with the help of the Kuala Lumpur High Court, finally Ikatan is registered,” Abdul Kadir was quoted saying.  

“We are neither pro-Barisan Nasional nor pro-opposition, but we champion the spirits of former noble leaders, we are pro-rakyat and pro-future generation.”

The Malaysian Insider also reported that former newsman Datuk A. Kadir Jasin and Social Care Foundation chairman, Tan Sri Robert Phang, were present among the 300 attendees.

Abdul Kadir also revealed the party’s red-and-white logo, which bears the iconic image of the country’s first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, his arms raised as he declared Malaysia’s independence.

Ikatan’s motto is “Bersatu Maju Adil Bahagia”.

Ikatan was formed back in June 2012 but Abdul Kadir had to wait approval from the Registrar of Society (RoS).

The former Umno Supreme Council member then proceeded to bring the matter to the High Court in February 2013 to approve his party and was granted a leave on March 5.

According to Abdul Kadir then, RoS went against legal procedures for not responding to his application.