Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama), under the leadership of former ministers Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, has set its sights on appearing as a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming elections.
Vowing to put forth candidates in any parliamentary or state seats where incumbents have supposedly failed to serve the rakyat, Rafizi said Bersama's fight will not be constrained by any political alliances.
"We don't care if the seats are held by PKR, DAP, Amanah, Bersatu, or Umno - if there is a need for us to fight, we will do so.
"We want to bring in a new political culture (and) we will offer good candidates consisting of youths and experienced individuals to contest in seats where we believe there is a need (for a change in representative)," Rafizi added.
The former PKR deputy president said this in his speech during an event announcing his and Nik Nazmi's new political endeavour in Petaling Jaya today.
Addressing a crowd of around 800 supporters, Rafizi's speech drew rounds of cheers and applause as he went on to invite members of the public to join Bersama and donate to its crowdfunding initiative.
Affirming that he and Nik Nazmi had been working on the direction of their political future last year, Rafizi asserted that they both had agreed to embark on yet another kamikaze-like mission.
"There is no guarantee that we will succeed. I'm aware that some analysts are of the view that a new party is likely to lose its deposits (at elections)," Rafizi said.
"But, what they don't know is that we are crazy people (and) we don't care - that's why it's a kamikaze.
"It's okay if we lose our deposits and people laugh at us. I might retire as a 'failed politician' - it doesn't bother me," he added.
Sincere, courageous, and authentic
Expressing similar sentiments, Nik Nazmi stressed that multiracial politics should not be blocked due to “outdated political legacies”, emphasising the need for “sincere, courageous, and authentic” leadership.
“I know this journey is not easy, but history is never made by those who wait for conditions to become easy - history is shaped by those who dare to start something when many others have stopped believing.
“This journey is not easy, but it has only just begun. I remain confident in Malaysians, and we hope Malaysians can share our confidence too,” he said in his speech before Rafizi’s address.
The former natural resources and environmental sustainability minister also urged audience members against losing hope in the nation, saying: “Do not let politics be monopolised by those who want you to be disappointed.
“Do not let Malaysia’s future be determined without your voice.”
Kamikaze project
Rafizi, a former economy minister, and Nik Nazmi resigned from their ministerial positions in May last year after losing their party posts in the PKR polls.
Rafizi, now the subject of an MACC probe into a RM1.1 billion semiconductor deal with UK-based Arm Holdings, had previously challenged PKR to sack him after the party issued him two show-cause letters.
Commenting on the considerations which went into their decision to take over Bersama, Rafizi today said he and Nik Nazmi had determined that their only viable option would be to form a new platform where they would not be obligated to “compromise” on their principles.
He also insisted that establishing a brand-new party was out of the question, hinting that the registration for such a vehicle was not approved.
“We made the conclusion earlier on that we could not join any existing parties (as) they have their own political calculations, with the rakyat already having formed perceptions (of such parties),” Rafizi said.
“We started this kamikaze project a year ago by registering a few new parties as ‘decoys’, so that those sitting in Putrajaya would laugh at us… and be comfortable in their bubble, thinking that our moves would not amount to anything because they had not approved (the parties' registrations).
“In reality, we were looking at small parties in Malaysia, which numbered around 30, and holding discussions to see which held common intents as us,” he added.
Party restructuring
Rafizi also expressed his gratitude to Bersama co-founder Tan Gin Theam for the latter’s willingness to hand over the party as part of efforts to improve the nation’s political landscape.
The existing leadership manning Bersama, Rafizi noted, will continue their roles while the party focuses on election preparations, with a party restructuring to be implemented at a suitable time.
Speaking at a press conference after the event, Rafizi reiterated that he and Nik Nazmi have never had aspirations based on positions or gratifications, stressing that their main goal is to bring about change for the rakyat’s betterment.
“Realistically, there will be challenges during any elections, but that will not kill our ideas,” he said.
“The problem with the ‘second or third force’ (concept) is that it subjects the public to choose the lesser of two evils - what is important now is that we have to offer something fundamentally different and progressive.
“That is why we said we will be looking at any and all seats, so long as we think there is demand and our participation will have an impact on national polls,” he added. - Mkini
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