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Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Quit PKR to Lead Malaysian United Party

The move signals a direct challenge to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Overview

  • Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad announced they will resign from PKR and vacate their parliamentary seats, with letters to the Speaker to follow.
  • Rafizi will take over the small Malaysian United Party, known as Parti Bersama Malaysia, in a handover attended by founder Tan Gin Theam.
  • The launch drew six renegade PKR lawmakers — Wong Chen, Lee Chean Chung, Rodziah Ismail, S. Kesavan, Zahir Hassan and Baktiar Wan Chik — indicating an organized bloc.
  • Both leaders lost party posts in May 2025 and left the cabinet soon after, and Rafizi has since become a prominent critic of Anwar’s leadership.
  • Rafizi remains under MACC investigation over alleged abuse of power tied to a RM1.1 billion collaboration with UK-based Arm Holdings during his time as economy minister.