A reputation for championing reforms and being a familiar face are among the reasons why former PKR leaders Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad are still popular among voters in their respective constituencies of Pandan and Setiawangsa.
Interviews by Malaysiakini in these areas found that voters still support the pair despite their decision to leave ruling party PKR and launch Parti Bersama Malaysia.
The positive response from voters will be critical in their political futures, as analysts have argued that Bersama has to overcome major hurdles if it hopes to challenge more established parties in the 16th general election.
For long-time Pandan constituent Azman Zainal, 66, his continued support for Rafizi is driven both by his confidence in the former economy minister and his growing disappointment with PKR.
Azman, who has closely followed local politics since the Reformasi movement in 1998, described PKR as increasingly “fragile” as its position is heavily dependent on the current federal government.
“When we look at the old party (PKR), it seems like there is no future. No future because its position in government is dependent on the unity government. (The arrangement) seems fragile because the coalition could unravel at any time.
“So, we believe the new party, which is said to be more principled and mature, could offer a better alternative while taking lessons from the older parties,” he said.
Similar sentiments were echoed by retiree Chan Yuk Lean, 88, who admitted she was disillusioned with the current government’s lacklustre performance.
Rafizi’s willingness to openly criticise the government’s shortcomings is among the key reasons for her continued support, said Chan, who is also from Pandan.
“The current government is doing very badly. So they all don’t dare to speak. I want to vote for an MP who dares to speak. That’s how we voters are!”
Both Rafizi and Nik Nazmi joined PKR in the early 2000s, when it was still a fledgling opposition party with a handful of seats called Parti Keadilan Nasional.
They rose through the ranks until Rafizi became deputy president and Nik Nazmi a vice-president, while being federal government ministers in the Madani administration.
After resigning from their cabinet posts in the middle of last year, they have continued to criticise the administration’s policies.
A familiar face
Beyond his reformist credentials, several constituents said their support for Rafizi was rooted less in party loyalty but more in his service record as an MP.
Retirees R Singh, 75, and Sidratul Muntaha, 67, pointed to Rafizi’s close engagement with residents throughout his two terms in office, saying his work on the ground helped build trust among Pandan voters.
“This is a way to convince people of any party. It doesn’t matter the party. The most important thing is you come and meet the people; so then they will help and give feedback on what is happening,” Singh said.
Sidratul similarly credited Rafizi’s years of constituency work, describing him as someone who had consistently championed issues affecting ordinary people.
“Rafizi has consistently fought for the people. So there is no reason for us to choose a different MP.”
For others, personal familiarity appeared to shape their perceptions more than party affiliation.
Hawker Parameswary Appavu, 63, admitted she knew little about Bersama but said she was familiar with Rafizi through his regular appearances at community events and celebrations.
“I don’t really know the new party, but I know Rafizi. Whenever there are celebrations, he comes and speaks to us. He’s respectful and approachable. I have no complaints about him,” she said.
While Parameswary does not closely follow political developments, she said her main concern was whether political changes would affect the livelihoods of local traders.
“As long as we can continue running our businesses without problems, we’re okay. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a new party or not, so long as it doesn’t create difficulties for us,” she added.
Beyond partisan politics
In Setiawangsa, voters met by Malaysiakini expressed optimism that Bersama could advance reform while maintaining a constructive relationship with the government.
Among them was Rashidah Sharif, 66, a long-time Reformasi supporter who participated in rallies during the movement’s early years.
While still being an avid supporter of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, she viewed Bersama as an extension of the principles she once championed.
“We hope for the best, and we hope Bersama can help the government. Why not? It doesn’t necessarily have to become the opposition. You can work together,” she said.
She added that Nik Nazmi’s involvement in Bersama had not undermined her confidence in him as an MP, as she believed his intentions remained aligned with the pursuit of justice.
“His (Nik Nazmi’s) intentions are in the right place. If they weren’t, he would not have joined the reformasi movement in his younger years.
“So maybe now Anwar has to reflect on why this has happened. He is the prime minister, so he must want the public’s best interest,” she said.
Unlike older voters who framed Nik Nazmi’s decision through the lens of reformasi history, Aiman Zulhilmi, 19, said he was non-partisan.
Aiman viewed Bersama as another source of political competition in Setiawangsa, noting that Nik Nazmi had spent years building his support base in the constituency.
“Even if he leaves and forms a new party, many people may still follow him, so I don’t think it will affect him too much. People understand why he did what he did,” he said.
He added that Nik Nazmi, having represented Setiawangsa for two terms since the 2018 general election, could challenge any candidate PKR puts in the constituency.
“No matter what happens, I hope he stays true to his convictions. If he is genuinely sincere in his struggle for the people and his efforts to pursue reform, then we will support him. We also hope to see meaningful change in Setiawangsa.” - Mkini
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