Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi quit their parliamentary seats before leaving PKR to avoid Malaysia’s anti-hopping law, citing party direction concerns.
PETALING JAYA: Concerns surrounding Malaysia’s anti-party hopping law were a key factor behind 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 move they said was carefully structured to comply with constitutional requirements while reshaping the political landscape.
Rafizi said the decision to resign as Members of Parliament before formally leaving PKR was intended to avoid triggering anti-hopping provisions.
“That is why Nik and I had to take the first step.
“We are paving the way by relinquishing our seats so that we can establish this platform properly,” he told reporters during a press conference today.
He said both MPs would formally submit their resignation letters to PKR on Tuesday after vacating their seats.
Addressing legal concerns, Rafizi said the timing and sequence of events had been deliberately planned.
“The legal or bond issue only applies if we leave and immediately switch parties while still holding our 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 would rest with the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, noting that the government still commands a strong parliamentary majority.
Both Rafizi and Nik Nazmi confirmed they would contest their respective constituencies 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 extended period of reflection after PKR’s internal elections, which he claimed highlighted a departure from the party’s original direction.
“After the last PKR election, it became clear to us that the party was no longer what we had originally built,” he said.
Nik Nazmi said concerns over governance and unfulfilled reform commitments also contributed to their decision to leave.
Rafizi also described Bersama as an established political entity with an existing leadership structure.
“There is no sponsor behind this. This is already a functioning and legitimate party.
“It has existed for the past 10 years and already has its own president and leadership,” he said.
He added that the leadership currently registered with the Registrar of Societies (ROS) would remain in place for now, with any changes to follow the party’s constitutional processes.
According to Rafizi, Bersama will focus on election preparations and nurturing younger political leaders.
“We consider ourselves the older generation now, and we want to train younger leaders in their 30s to contest elections,” he said.
Rafizi also rejected suggestions that Bersama was positioning itself as a “third force” or “fourth force” in Malaysian politics.
“What matters is offering an alternative that is progressive and meaningful,” he said.
Nik Nazmi said the decision reflected responsibility towards voters and the need to establish a new political platform ahead of future elections.
“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 (mouse-deer) in the party logo represented agility, intelligence and strategic manoeuvring within Malaysia’s political landscape.
He said the symbolism reflected the idea that smaller players could outmanoeuvre larger political forces through strategy rather than strength.
“In our society, the kancil has always outwitted the crocodile.
“It reflects a quiet hope for something smarter and more adaptive,” he said.
He added that the party’s blue and yellow colour scheme was chosen to symbolise balance, strength and stability rather than any alignment with existing political blocs.
