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Bersama could really become a third force in Malaysian politics
The key question: Can it forge strategic partnerships with East Malaysian parties?
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Bersama’s appeal lies in its effort to occupy the same reformist, multiracial political space as PKR while presenting itself as gutsy, ground-up and less compromised.
ST PHOTO: LU WEI HOONG
James Chin
A political earthquake struck in Malaysia over the weekend when former economy minister Rafizi Ramli and former natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad presided over a ceremony marking their takeover of the reins of the rebranded Malaysian United Party – known as Bersama – and their formal exit from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s ruling Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).
Bersama founder Tan Gin Theam handed over the registration certificate. Several other PKR MPs attended in support, including Mr Wong Chen, Mr Lee Chean Chung, Ms Rodziah Ismail, Mr S. Kesavan, Mr Zahir Hassan and Datuk Bakhtiar Wan Chik.
