SHAH ALAM - The decision by former ministers Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad to take over Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama) has been viewed by political observers as a strategic attempt to rebuild political momentum and revive reform-oriented politics ahead of upcoming state elections and the 16th General Election (GE16).
Analysts said the move reflected not only growing dissatisfaction within Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), but also a broader effort to establish an independent political platform capable of attracting voters disillusioned with existing coalitions.
International Islamic University Malaysia political analyst Associate Professor Dr Syaza Shukri, said the timing of the move was politically advantageous, particularly with elections expected in the near future.
“In my view, the timing of Rafizi and Nik Nazmi leading a different political party is appropriate, especially with both state elections and GE16 expected in the near future. Making the move now gives them sufficient time to build the party structure, strengthen their machinery, organise support and shape their messaging before any election takes place.
“Waiting until Parliament is dissolved would likely leave them with very limited time to properly establish the party and mobilise effectively,” she said in an interview with Sinar Daily.
Syaza believed the decision to leave PKR was influenced more by frustrations with the current administration under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim rather than election timing alone.
She mentioned that since the government has already been in power for more than three years, Rafizi and Nik Nazmi may have viewed this as the right moment to take a different political direction.
She added that joining another established party would likely have weakened the reform-oriented image both leaders appeared to be trying to project.
“Personally, I do not think joining another established political party would have aligned with their apparent objective of reviving the original spirit of ‘reformasi’.
“Many major parties today are already perceived as part of the political establishment, and joining them could weaken the credibility of the reform-based narrative they are trying to promote.
“By forming or taking over a new party, they are sending a stronger signal that they are serious about pursuing political reforms,” she said.
On the other hand, political analyst Dr Oh Ei Sun said there is never an ideal time to form a new political party. He argued that what matters more is having full control over a political platform.
According to him, political leaders need a platform they can genuinely control and use to fully express their ideas, direction and policies without being restricted by internal power struggles such as those they previously experienced within their former party.
Oh also said Rafizi and Nik Nazmi appeared to have gradually lost influence within PKR, making their eventual departure seem almost unavoidable.
“From my perspective, it is evident that they increasingly felt marginalised in their previous party, to the extent that remaining there could have diminished their political relevance. Under such circumstances, leaving became almost unavoidable.
“Given their apparent confidence in their own political support and public standing, it is understandable why they would prefer to establish or take over their own political platform rather than join another established party where they could potentially encounter similar internal dynamics and limitations again,” he told Sinar Daily.
However, Oh cautioned that building or taking over a new political party also comes with significant disadvantages, particularly when compared to long-established parties with deeply rooted grassroots machinery.
He noted that newer political forces often lack the resources, organisational strength and established networks necessary to effectively mobilise electoral support.
“In contrast, established parties generally possess stronger organisational structures, wider grassroots machinery and greater financial and political resources that can be leveraged during elections,” he added.
On May 17, Bersama, a relatively unknown multiracial centrist party founded in 2016, entered the national spotlight after Rafizi and Nik Nazmi assumed its leadership.
The party, which originated in George Town, Penang, underwent a major rebranding exercise under the new leadership, including the introduction of a new “kancil” logo symbolising a nimble political underdog.
The takeover followed months of internal tensions within PKR, where both leaders lost party elections in May 2025 before eventually exiting the Cabinet and leaving the party altogether. In compliance with Malaysia’s anti-party hopping law, both men vacated their parliamentary seats before joining Bersama.
The party has since positioned itself as an independent “third force” outside both the ruling coalition and the traditional opposition bloc, with plans to target urban and multiracial voters dissatisfied with existing political options.
Bersama has also indicated intentions to contest future elections independently while focusing heavily on economic concerns such as rising living costs, wage stagnation and employment issues.