Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad have officially taken control of Parti Bersama Malaysia, marking a major political realignment after being sidelined in PKR.
PETALING JAYA: Pandan MP Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad today announced that they will vacate their parliamentary seats and leave PKR to join Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama).
In a political bombshell that could trigger two by-elections and reshape the post-Reformasi political landscape, Rafizi said he would officially vacate his Pandan seat effective tomorrow, while Nik Nazmi confirmed he would also relinquish his Setiawangsa parliamentary seat.
Both leaders also said they would formally leave PKR on Tuesday by submitting their resignation letters to PKR secretary-general Datuk Fuziah Salleh before joining Bersama.
In a joint declaration delivered during an event announcing their political direction, Rafizi said the decision was driven by a belief that “political power belongs to the people, not politicians”.
He said Bersama represented a platform founded by ordinary Malaysians and was intended to revive a more inclusive and idealistic political culture.
The party, originally founded in 2016 by Tan Gin Theam, is now being repositioned under the duo’s leadership as part of a broader political rebranding effort.
“We want to build a politics of goodwill that appreciates every Malaysian and builds the future of a new generation together.
“The old together with the young, Malays together with non-Malays, the rich together with the poor,” he said at the PJ Performing Arts Centre (PJPAC) today.
Rafizi also revealed that 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 capable candidates from the new generation wherever we see a need and opportunity,” he said.
In a candid admission, Rafizi acknowledged that electoral success was not guaranteed, but argued that the party’s presence would compel existing political coalitions to improve their performance.
“Whether Bersama wins or loses 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.
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 pair said they hoped to pass on their political ideals to younger leaders, particularly millennials and Gen Z figures who would be nurtured within Bersama.
They concluded the declaration with a traditional Malay pantun: “Hancur badan dikandung tanah, budi yang baik dikenang juga” (Even after the body has returned to the earth, good deeds and kindness will still be remembered).
