Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's handling of various issues, including corruption cases and matters important to progressives and non-Malays, have led to increasing disillusionment among Pakatan Harapan's core supporters.
Anwar's disenfranchised former protégé, Rafizi Ramli, however, has signalled that Harapan supporters may have something to look forward to from him by June.
During an interview with BFM, which aired yesterday, Rafizi said that he and his allies are open to "sailing their own ship".
Asked if this ship will be a political party, the Pandan MP replied that they want to give an "option" for voters, especially the youths, but what form it would be in would take a few months to sort out.
"We are looking at the numbers, at possibilities, different possibilities of political configurations. But I think you will hear a lot more from us beyond June.
"For those who feel that you know 'this is the end, I don't have a choice who to vote for'... because I think that's how I ended up in politics in 1998. I wanted an option. I wanted a choice.
"So I wanted to make sure that the younger generation, especially, is not denied that choice," he added.
Whether or not they will win or lose, he said, only time will tell.
Rafizi has been drifting further and further away from PKR after being ousted as deputy president in the party election last year by Nurul Izzah Anwar - and is now an ardent critic of Anwar.
Last week, he indicated that he would be defending his Pandan Parliament seat, but not likely as a PKR candidate.
He has ruled out joining existing parties, or partnering up with former Umno leader Khairy Jamaluddin - whom he painted as his polar opposite.
For future progressive leaders
Rafizi told BFM that his end goal does not focus on capturing Putrajaya, saying he does not want to compromise everything just to be in government.
Instead, the PKR veteran said his goal is to groom the next generation of progressive leaders.
"I have one or two more rounds to make sure some of these progressive, clean, younger politicians actually can stand on their own and basically go one full span of their career.
"I think if they survive into their 50s and they go through experience in government or as senior opposition that would have ensured that we have a line of good politicians for years to come.
"Because they would have been able to groom newer ones and say that 'look I made it. I didn't take money, I stuck to my guns and I survived. I made a difference’. That's my end game," he said.
Rafizi's allies in PKR include lawmakers Rodziah Ismail (Ampang), Wong Chen (Subang), Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (Setiawangsa), Lee Chean Chung (Petaling Jaya), S Kesavan (Sungai Siput), Tan Kar Hing (Gopeng), and Zahir Hassan (Wangsa Maju).
Ministers Chang Lih Kang and Akmal Nasir are also closely aligned to Rafizi, as is Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun. - Mkini
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