GEORGE TOWN, Sept 16 — A group of former DAP members led by ex-party veteran Zulkifli Mohd Nor have banded together to form a new political platform called the “People’s Alternative Party (PAP)”, which they said will represent an alternative voice for the people.
Zulkifli, who was formerly DAP’s national deputy chairman, said PAP is neither left-wing nor right-wing but will represent a third voice for Malaysians who want an alternative to Barisan Nasional (BN) or Pakatan Rakyat (PR).
He said PAP will not be a “mosquito party” but will be a formidable opponent against political giants BN and PR.
“We are not forming this party to take part in by-elections but we will be a force to be reckoned with and an alternative voice for the people in the 14th General Elections.
“We will contest against BN and PR in all state and parliamentary seats in the nation in the next general election,” he told a press conference here.
Zulkifli, who is the PAP pro-tem president, said the party applied for registration with the Registrar of Societies (RoS) yesterday.
He added that once it obtains RoS' approval, PAP will announce the names of its committee members and the party's total membership strength.
Currently, some of the party’s pro-tem committee members include former DAP leaders Rahmad Isahak and G.Asoghan.
The party has chosen a swiftlet in flight as its symbol and white, navy and light blue as its official colours.
“We chose the swiftlet as it’s an ideal symbol to represent freedom because the bird enjoys unlimited freedom and is not suppressed,” Zulkifli said.
The colours picked represented purity, loyalty and transparency for white, gentleness, refinement and accountability for light blue and harmony, peace and purity for navy.
“While waiting for RoS to approve our application, the pro-tem committee will be making preparations to boost PAP into a strong third force that will be accepted by all Malaysians,” he said.
He said the party is open for Malaysians of all races and religions above 18-years of age to join.
“We want all Malaysians to know that we don’t fight for any other party but we will only stand up for the truth and fight against any wrongdoings,” he added.
Zulkifli was a veteran DAP member for 26 years and although he quit all his party posts on October 25 last year, he still remains a DAP member.
He was embroiled in a controversy over the DAP national convention in December 2012, which he had claimed was illegal because the RoS had not recognised the party’s newly elected central executive committee (CEC).
Till today, Zulkilfi maintains that the DAP does not have valid leadership as the RoS still does not recognise its CEC even after it held special CEC elections to re-elect its CEC lineup in September last year.
DAP has since filed a judicial review application to the High Court early this year against RoS over its refusal to recognise its CEC lineup.
