18/05/2026

MONDAY | MAY 18, 2026

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‘Move was carefully planned’ PETALING JAYA: Concerns over Malaysia’s anti-party hopping law were central to Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad’s decision to vacate their parliamentary seats and leave PKR before joining Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama), in a carefully sequenced move they say complies with constitutional requirements while reshaping the political landscape. Rafizi said resigning from Parliament before leaving PKR was deliberate to avoid triggering anti-hopping repercussions. “That is why Nik and I had to take the first step. We are paving the way by relinquishing our seats so we can establish this platform properly,” he told reporters at a press conference yesterday. He said the timing was carefully structured. “The legal or bond issue only applies if we leave and immediately switch parties while holding seats. But we are vacating our seats first and returning the mandate to the people,” he said. He added that any decision on by elections rests with the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, adding that the government still holds a strong majority. Both Rafizi and Nik Nazmi confirmed they would contest their seats under Bersama in the next general election, with Rafizi expected to return to Pandan and Nik Nazmi to Setiawangsa. Rafizi said the move followed an internal reassessment after the PKR party elections, which he said reflected a shift from its founding direction. “After the last PKR election, it became clear to us that the party was no longer what we had originally built.” Nik Nazmi cited governance concerns and unmet reform commitments as part of their decision. Rafizi described Bersama as a decade old party with an established leadership structure. “There is no sponsor behind this. This is already a functioning, legitimate party. It has existed for the past 10 years and already has its own president and leadership.” He added that the current leadership registered with the Registrar of Societies (RoS) would remain for now, with any transition subject to party processes. He said Bersama would focus on election preparation and grooming younger leaders. “We consider ourselves the older generation now, and we want to train younger leaders in their 30s to contest in elections,” he said, while rejecting claims Bersama was positioning itself as a “third” or “fourth force” in politics. “What matters is offering an alternative that is progressive and meaningful.” Nik Nazmi said the move reflected responsibility to voters and the need to build a new platform. “This is not a small decision. We believe we are being fair to voters who gave us a mandate under PKR and PH. “Building Bersama takes time. That is why we need to take this step now,” he said. Rafizi also explained the symbolism behind Bersama’s branding, saying the kancil in the logo represents agility, intelligence and strategic manoeuvring. “In our society, the ‘kancil’ has always outwitted the crocodile. It reflects a quiet hope for something smarter and more adaptive.” He added that the party’s blue and yellow colour scheme reflects balance, strength and stability rather than alignment with any political bloc. – BY HARITH KAMAL

Rafizi, Nik Nazmi join new party PETALING JAYA: In a political bombshell set to trigger two by elections and potentially redraw the post-reformasi political landscape, Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli and Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad yesterday announced they will vacate their parliamentary seats, quit PKR and join Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama). o Duo to lead Parti Bersama Malaysia in building ‘politics of goodwill that appreciates every Malaysian’ Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com Nik Nazmi as part of a broader political rebranding move. “We want to build politics of goodwill that appreciates every Malaysian and builds the future of a new generation together. generation wherever we see a need and opportunity.” In a striking admission, he acknowledged that electoral victory was not guaranteed but said the party’s presence would push existing coalitions to perform better. “Whether Bersama wins or lose is uncertain, but existing parties will have to work harder to compete with us. In the end, the real winner will be the people,” he said.

their resignations as MPs. In a joint declaration at an event outlining their new political direction, Rafizi said the move stemmed from a conviction that “political power belongs to the people, not politicians”. He said Bersama was founded as a platform for ordinary Malaysians, aimed at reviving a more inclusive and idealistic political culture. The party, originally established in 2016 in Penang by Tan Gin Theam, is a splinter from MCA. Tan was present at the ceremony, at which he formally handed the party over to Rafizi. It is now being repositioned under the leadership of Rafizi and

confirmed by Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who is also Johor BN chairman. He said the decision was reached after consultations with party leadership and grassroots, reflecting BN’s readiness to continue governing Johor. BN currently leads the state government after winning 40 of the 56 seats in the 2022 state election. The next Johor polls must be held by April 2027, unless the state assembly is dissolved earlier, although speculation has grown that elections could be called sooner. The PH convention, themed “Tekad Madani, Harapan Rakyat”, gathered nearly 10,000 delegates from PKR, DAP and Amanah. Anwar arrived at about 12.10pm, nearly two hours ahead of schedule, accompanied by his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Johor PKR chief Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa. Among those present were DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, Amanah president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu and PH secretary general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. The move comes after both Rafizi and Nik Nazmi were defeated in the PKR party elections in May 2025, which led to their resignations from the Cabinet. Also present at the launch were six other PKR MPs – Wong Chen, Lee Chean Chung, Rodziah Ismail, S. Kesavan, Zahir Hassan and Baktiar Wan Chik. The announcement marks one of the most significant political realignments since the formation of the Unity government, with both Rafizi and Nik Nazmi previously regarded as among PKR’s most prominent reformist leaders. The duo said they hope to pass on their political ideals to younger leaders, particularly millennials and Gen Z figures who would be nurtured within Bersama. In a related development, PKR has confirmed that Rafizi and Nik Nazmi have automatically ceased to be party members after announcing their decision to vacate their parliamentary seats and leave the party. In a statement, Fuziah said the party had received recordings of both leaders publicly declaring their resignation and intention to relinquish their Dewan Rakyat seats. The party said their membership was deemed terminated under its constitution upon their declaration of exit.

Rafizi said he would formally vacate his Pandan seat effective today, while Nik Nazmi confirmed he would do the same for his Setiawangsa constituency. Both leaders added that they would submit their resignation letters to PKR secretary-general Datuk Fuziah Salleh on Tuesday before officially joining Bersama. Rafizi and Nik Nazmi also said they would formally write to Parliament Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul tomorrow to notify him of

“The old together with the young, Malays with non-Malays, the rich with the poor,” Rafizi said at Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre yesterday. He also said Bersama intends to contest seats across the political divide in future elections, including constituencies currently held by PKR, DAP, Amanah, Umno, PAS and Bersatu. “Bersama will offer good candidates from the new

(From left) Nik Nazmi, Rafizi and Tan during the event in Petaling Jaya yesterday. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

We will rise to the challenge: Anwar

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN AND HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

move-for-move. Earlier, Johor PH chairman Aminolhuda Hassan said the coalition would contest all 56 seats if BN proceeds with its strategy. “Pakatan Harapan Johor will also contest all 56 seats. They have made their stand clear, and we will not back down,” he said. The declaration was echoed by Anwar at the federal level, saying PH would not hesitate to contest all constituencies in Johor – and potentially other states – if confronted with similar circumstances. “If this is their choice, Pakatan Harapan will contest in all areas.” Anwar added that PH’s response would not be limited to Johor, saying similar strategies could be adopted in Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Penang and Pahang, depending on developments. “In Negeri Sembilan... all areas. We are monitoring everything. “If that is the decision, we will contest in all areas in Selangor. All areas in Penang. Pahang... all areas.” The political sabre rattling follows BN’s announcement that it intends to contest all 56 Johor seats, a move

reform initiatives to accommodate differing views within the coalition. “Those who are ready to cooperate, we welcome them properly. Those who feel like fighting, we fight seriously. “If they negotiate properly, we are good people. We are patient, wise and we want to save this country. But if you choose to fight, what choice do we have?” Anwar also said he would soon convene PH leaders to discuss preparations for upcoming state elections, stressing the need for the coalition to be ready for all political scenarios while safeguarding national stability. “What is the strength of this country? Political stability. Stable politics.” Anwar also said Pakatan Harapan would contest all seats in Johor if Barisan Nasional (BN) proceeds with a full-slate strategy in the state elections, escalating tensions over seat allocations. His remarks came amid growing political friction after BN indicated plans to contest all 56 state seats in Johor. PH has responded by signalling it is prepared to match BN

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has warned against any attempt to undermine or betray the political cooperation underpinning the Unity government, stressing that restraint should not be mistaken for weakness. “Do not misread this. Do not misunderstand. Do not threaten or take steps towards betrayal. We do not bow to threats. We have been beaten. We have been jailed. You want to threaten us? No way,”he said in his speech at the Pakatan Harapan (PH) Convention 2026 at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre yesterday. Anwar said the government’s patience over the past three years in maintaining political stability should not be interpreted as vulnerability, adding that the administration had deliberately exercised restraint to preserve the Unity government. However, he said such restraint had come with political costs, including the need to delay certain