The Bersama kancil enters the jungle

Enoch Lim

Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad’s recent announcement that they are vacating their parliamentary seats, quitting PKR and taking over Parti Bersama Malaysia opens a new chapter in the Malaysian political landscape.

Scepticism was quick to follow. Comments such as “diluting and splitting the Malay vote” and “new parties never win” tend to be the common refrains.

So not everyone is convinced, for a range of reasons – from doubts about the personalities and the track records of Rafizi and Nik Nazmi, to the view that a new party contesting the next election will make virtually no difference at all.

Yet Bersama has been well received by many, especially those who are politically homeless, the young, the progressive-minded and those who have lost all faith in Pakatan Harapan, which helms the federal multi-coalition government.

Rafizi and Nik Nazmi have been invited to several talk shows and podcasts in the days since the announcement, explaining their stances on a wide variety of issues and making their platform known.

A different political paradigm

In many ways, Rafizi’s rather visionary speech on the day of the announcement resonated widely. He pointed out that the current political paradigm within the “unity government” is too focused on “political alliances” rather than political stability or solutions.

When the unity government operates on a model that requires constantly appeasing the needs of and political arrangements with other political parties, it jeopardises its ability to create viable policies that actually help people on the ground.

And when that appeasement breaks down, internal problems and fractures follow.

This is not hard to see. The Negeri Sembilan state government crisis, which erupted in April 2026 when all 14 Umno assembly members withdrew their support for the menteri besar, is a case in point.

The Johor state election will come soon enough. What will happen then?

Rafizi also argued that the nation must adapt to the needs of an ever-changing demographic that is both racial and generational in nature. As newer generations are born and ethnic demographics shift drastically over the next 30 years, he said, the government must be adaptable and employ the right concrete solutions.

Business as usual won’t do

In essence, Bersama’s message is simple: Malaysian politics cannot continue with a “business as usual” mindset.

Emphasis must be placed on fairness for all, regardless of ethnicity, religion and background, allowing people to draw on their potential and serve the nation in any capacity.

The country cannot be run by the political mentality of the 1960s, driven mostly by an older generation whose approaches and solutions are heavily shaped by the political culture of their time.

As Rafizi pointed out in one of the podcasts, there is a generational gap between today’s leaders and the people they represent, especially among the young.

It is this gap that so often creates problems and a rift: many politicians today are simply unable to deal with the challenges faced by Gen Z voters, those below 30.

For Bersama, it is about leaving a legacy for future generations, in the spirit of harmony, togetherness and the need to repay society for the goodness and generous hospitality that people from all walks of life have offered them.

A momentum not to be wasted

Undeniably, PH and the unity government have made some significant progress over the past three years.

But disillusionment is growing stronger by the day. If they do not change, they risk becoming obsolete – and being voted out.

The question that remains is whether a mass exodus will happen from the major parties and coalitions into Bersama. There is little doubt that the party will serve as a catalyst for many disaffected voters. Rafizi himself claimed in a Facebook video that Bersama had already gained around 8,000 new members.

Several MPs and leaders have already expressed intentions to join. This cannot be attributed solely to Rafizi’s star power. Rather, it is driven by a conviction prevalent among some that the three major coalitions have failed to deliver.

Those who have placed their confidence in Bersama sincerely hope the party does not repeat the same mistakes: that it will break free from the vicious cycle of money and patronage politics, and avoid tolerating the sort of damaging conduct that has plagued its predecessors and harmed the nation.

This is a momentum Bersama cannot afford to squander if it desires genuine reform in the nation. Either this is the beginning of something grander for Malaysia’s future, or it will end up going nowhere.

In politics, tangible results matter. It is up to Bersama to prove its worth when the real challenges come, especially since its approach will strike some as naive, untried and untested.

Circumstances will determine whether this endeavour succeeds. What is certain is that Malaysia’s countless problems remain unresolved – and more will come. Who is best suited to solve them?

If people have grown tired of PH, Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional, will they give their mandate to Bersama? A leaked internal analysis has shown that PH component party PKR considers just seven of its 31 held seats truly safe ahead of the coming general election.

In politics, nothing is set in stone. For the established parties, it is a frantic scramble to remain relevant come the next election.

So what better time for Bersama to begin winning hearts and minds than right now?

Many may not agree with Bersama’s message or its leaders.

Regardless, Malaysia remains a vibrant democracy 63 years after its formation and the people will still have the power to choose their own future. May God bless this nation and all of us living here.

Enoch Lim from Sabah obtained a masters in public administration from a public university in the peninsula. He had earlier graduated with a degree in politics and government studies from a university in Sarawak.

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