KUALA LUMPUR – Former Deputy President Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli’s exit from PKR could bolster the party's internal stability as it prepares for the 16th General Election (GE16).
PKR founder Ng Lum Yong said the party was built on the spirit of reformasi and a multiracial struggle, rather than relying on any specific individual.
He said throughout his time in the party, Rafizi and his group of supporters were often seen bringing an approach that caused divisions and tension among the party leadership.
“For a long time, PKR has had to deal with a faction that thinks only they are right, while others are deemed wrong.
“It cannot be denied that Rafizi and his allies possess strengths in attacking opponents through certain political strategies, but the same approach was also brought into the party, which sometimes created problems for the top leadership,” he said in a statement.
He noted that Rafizi's departure from PKR opens up space for the party to refocus on strengthening internal unity and the party’s original agenda of struggle.
Previously, the Director of the Malaysian Institute of Political Studies (MAPAN) Associate Professor Dr Mashitah Mohd Udin, was reported describing the Parti Bersama Malaysia manifesto presented by Rafizi as too idealistic and difficult to implement within the realities of national administration.
She said the 12 agendas put forward sounded attractive as slogans, but most were more populist in nature rather than truly practical policy plans.
Meanwhile, political analyst from the Nusantara Academy Professor Dr Azmi Hassan, viewed that the 12-point agenda brought by Bersama is expected to invite deeper scrutiny toward Rafizi and fellow comrade Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who vacated his post as PKR Vice President together with Rafizi.
He said voters are expected to re-evaluate the track record and performance of both leaders during their time in government between 2022 and 2025.
“There is a political risk because many promises in the Bersama manifesto directly touch upon areas that were previously under their influence when they were members of the government administration,” he said.