Ex-Malaysian ministers launch new party in bold political move

Former Malaysian ministers Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad have embarked on a bold political maneuver, taking over the previously obscure Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama) to launch a new political direction. The move, described as a "kamikaze" mission by some, signals a significant challenge to the current political landscape.

In a dramatic announcement, the duo declared their parliamentary seats vacant and terminated their memberships in the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR). This action, by law, disqualifies them from holding their seats, allowing them to freely pursue their new political venture. The move follows a period of intense speculation and a public fallout with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the PKR president.

The rift between Anwar and his former proteges, all alumni of the prestigious Malay College Kuala Kangsar, has escalated into a bare-knuckled political brawl. The animosity reportedly deepened after the acrimonious PKR party elections in April 2025, which saw Rafizi-aligned figures ousted amid allegations of irregularities. Rafizi's subsequent resignation from the Cabinet in May 2025, along with Nik Nazmi, intensified the public criticism directed at Anwar and the party leadership, including corruption allegations.

Rafizi Ramli, a former minister of economy, and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, formerly the minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, were once key figures in Anwar's reformasi movement and instrumental in PKR's growth. Their departure and the formation of Bersama represent a significant split within the party and raise questions about the future of Malaysian politics.