{"id":835,"date":"2026-05-28T03:31:04","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T03:31:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/asianewscast.com\/2026\/05\/28\/commentary-ex-malaysian-ministers-rafizi-and-nik-nazmis-kamikaze-mission-is-a-brazen-double-dare\/"},"modified":"2026-05-28T03:31:04","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T03:31:04","slug":"commentary-ex-malaysian-ministers-rafizi-and-nik-nazmis-kamikaze-mission-is-a-brazen-double-dare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/?p=835","title":{"rendered":"Commentary: Ex-Malaysian ministers Rafizi and Nik Nazmi\u2019s &#8216;kamikaze&#8217; mission is a brazen double dare"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"layout layout--onecol\">\n<div class=\"layout__region layout__region--content\">\n<section data-title=\"Leaderboard  01 Article\" class=\"block block-ad-entity block-ad-displayleaderboard-01-article clearfix\">\n<div class=\"block-title\">Advertisement<\/div>\n<div id=\"ad-entity-ypsuZPVd75Q\" 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href=\"\/commentary\"><br \/>\n      Commentary<br \/>\n  <\/a>\n    <\/p>\n<h1 class=\"h1 h1--page-title\">\n      Commentary: Ex-Malaysian ministers Rafizi and Nik Nazmi\u2019s &#8216;kamikaze&#8217; mission is a brazen double dare<br \/>\n  <\/h1>\n<div class=\"content-detail__description\">\n<p>Two former Malaysian ministers have launched their own political party. There is much derring-do in the move, it is too early to write off the new entity, says this ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute researcher.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"layout layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--75-25\">\n<div class=\"layout__region layout__region--first\">\n<section data-title=\"Hero Emphasis\" class=\"block detail-hero-media block-mc-hero-emphasis block-hero-emphasis clearfix\">\n<figure data-title=\"Hero Emphasis\" class=\"figure block detail-hero-media block-mc-hero-emphasis block-hero-emphasis clearfix\" data-img-id=\"\">\n<p>      <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/dam.mediacorp.sg\/image\/upload\/s--mbxI2sJ1--\/c_fill,g_auto,h_468,w_830\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1\/mediacorp\/cna\/image\/2025\/05\/28\/image_from_ios_0.jpg?itok=eT5H-75B\" alt=\"Commentary: Ex-Malaysian ministers Rafizi and Nik Nazmi\u2019s &apos;kamikaze&apos; mission is a brazen double dare\" title=\"Commentary: Ex-Malaysian ministers Rafizi and Nik Nazmi\u2019s &apos;kamikaze&apos; mission is a brazen double dare\"><figcaption class=\"figure__caption\">\n      Former Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (left) and former Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli have taken over Parti Bersama Malaysia. (Photo: Facebook\/Nik Nazmi)<br \/>\n    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/section><\/div>\n<div class=\"layout__region layout__region--second\">\n<section data-title=\"Byline\" class=\"block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodearticlefield-author clearfix\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"author-card author-card--author-info-block\">\n<div class=\"author-card__content\">\n<div class=\"author-card__body\">\n<div class=\"author-card__author-name\">\n<h6 class=\"h6 h6--author-name\">\n<a class=\"h6__link\" href=\"\/author\/lee-hwok-aun-0\"><br \/>\n      Lee Hwok-Aun<br \/>\n  <\/a><br \/>\n  <\/h6>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-title=\"Content share and bookmark\" class=\"block block-mc-content-share-bookmark block-content-share-bookmark clearfix\">\n<div data-title=\"Content share and bookmark\" class=\"mobile_author_card block block-mc-content-share-bookmark block-content-share-bookmark clearfix\">\n<div class=\"mobile_author_card__name\">\n<a class=\"link link--author-profile\" href=\"\/author\/lee-hwok-aun-0\"><br \/>\n      Lee Hwok-Aun<br \/>\n  <\/a>\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-publish article-publish--\">\n        28 May 2026 05:59AM\n      <\/div>\n<div class=\"js-popup-content with-authors\">\n<div class=\"bookmark-share\">\n<div class=\"bookmark-share-icon\">\n<a class=\"link bookmark-link\" data-uuid=\"7bfd2527-e5a4-4a9d-a394-2b025d0edbaf\" data-nid=\"6142141\" href=\";\"><\/p>\n<p>  <span class=\"link__text visually-hidden\"><br \/>\n    Bookmark<br \/>\n  <\/span><br \/>\n  <\/a><br \/>\n<a class=\"link bookmark-link-anonymous hidden\" href=\"\/profile\/sso\/login?redirect_url=\/commentary\/rafizi-nik-nazmi-new-party-bersama-kamikaze-anwar-6142141&amp;bookmark=7bfd2527-e5a4-4a9d-a394-2b025d0edbaf\"><\/p>\n<p>  <span class=\"link__text visually-hidden\"><br \/>\n    Bookmark<br \/>\n  <\/span><br \/>\n  <\/a><br \/>\n<a class=\"link trigger-popup trigger-popup--share\" data-link_absolute=\"https:\/\/www.channelnewsasia.com\/commentary\/rafizi-nik-nazmi-new-party-bersama-kamikaze-anwar-6142141?cid=internal_sharetool_web_28052026_cna\" data-category=\"Commentary\" data-category_url=\"\/commentary\" data-heading=\"Commentary: Ex-Malaysian ministers Rafizi and Nik Nazmi\u2019s &apos;kamikaze&apos; mission is a brazen double dare\" data-link=\"\/commentary\/rafizi-nik-nazmi-new-party-bersama-kamikaze-anwar-6142141\" href=\";\"><\/p>\n<p>  <span class=\"link__text visually-hidden\"><br \/>\n    Share<br \/>\n  <\/span><br \/>\n  <\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<div class=\"a2a-share-link a2a_kit\" data-a2a-url=\"https:\/\/www.channelnewsasia.com\/commentary\/rafizi-nik-nazmi-new-party-bersama-kamikaze-anwar-6142141?cid=internal_sharetool_web_28052026_cna\" data-a2a-title=\"Commentary: Ex-Malaysian ministers Rafizi and Nik Nazmi\u2019s &apos;kamikaze&apos; mission is a brazen double dare\">\n<a class=\"link a2a_button_whatsapp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"\/#whatsapp\"><\/p>\n<p>      <span class=\"link__text a2a_label\"><br \/>\n        WhatsApp<br \/>\n      <\/span><br \/>\n  <\/a><br \/>\n<a class=\"link a2a_button_telegram\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"\/#telegram\"><\/p>\n<p>      <span class=\"link__text a2a_label\"><br \/>\n        Telegram<br \/>\n      <\/span><br \/>\n  <\/a><br \/>\n<a class=\"link a2a_button_facebook\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"\/#facebook\"><\/p>\n<p>      <span class=\"link__text a2a_label\"><br \/>\n        Facebook<br \/>\n      <\/span><br \/>\n  <\/a><br \/>\n<a class=\"link a2a_button_twitter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"\/#twitter\"><\/p>\n<p>      <span class=\"link__text a2a_label\"><br \/>\n        Twitter<br \/>\n      <\/span><br \/>\n  <\/a><br \/>\n<a class=\"link a2a_button_email\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"\/#email\"><\/p>\n<p>      <span class=\"link__text a2a_label\"><br \/>\n        Email<br \/>\n      <\/span><br \/>\n  <\/a><br \/>\n<a class=\"link a2a_button_linkedin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"\/#linkedin\"><\/p>\n<p>      <span class=\"link__text a2a_label\"><br \/>\n        LinkedIn<br \/>\n      <\/span><br \/>\n  <\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"google-preferred__button-wrapper hidden\">\n<button class=\"button button--google-preferred\" aria-label=\"button\"><\/p>\n<p>  <span class=\"link__text\">Set CNA as your preferred source on Google<\/span><br \/>\n  <\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"google-preferred__information-wrapper\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"google-preferred__tooltip-wrapper hidden\">\n<div class=\"google-preferred__tooltip-body\">\n      Add CNA as a trusted source to help Google better understand and surface our content in search results.\n    <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"views-element-container\">\n<div class=\"js-view-dom-id-b099816963ac25d66b4bc65ee2584d7f8a94d5c8a7e36b046a01bb00a629683a\">\n<div class=\"sponsors\">\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"layout layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--75-25\">\n<div class=\"layout__region layout__region--first\">\n<section data-title=\"Mediacorp Fast Button\" class=\"block block-mc-shorts block-mc-fast-button clearfix\">\n<section class=\"block block- clearfix\">\n<div class=\"mc-fast-button hidden block block- clearfix\">\n<div class=\"mc-fast-button__body\">\n<div class=\"mc-fast-button__text\">\n                    Read a summary of this article on FAST.\n                <\/div>\n<div class=\"mc-fast-button__button-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"fast-button__wrapper hidden\">\n<div class=\"fast-button__tooltip-fast-home-button\">\n<div class=\"fast-tooltip hidden\">\n<div class=\"fast-tooltip__body\">\n<div class=\"fast-tooltip__label\">\n              <span><br \/>\n           Get bite-sized news via a new<br \/>cards interface. Give it a try.<br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<div class=\"fast-tooltip__close-button\" role=\"button\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"fast-button__tooltip-fast-back-button\">\n<div class=\"fast-tooltip hidden\">\n<div class=\"fast-tooltip__body\">\n<div class=\"fast-tooltip__label\">\n              <span class=\"fast-tooltip__non-touch\"> Click here to return to FAST <\/span><br \/>\n        <span class=\"fast-tooltip__touch\"> Tap here to return to FAST <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<div class=\"fast-tooltip__close-button\" role=\"button\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>    <a title=\"FAST\" href=\"https:\/\/www.channelnewsasia.com\/fast\/6142141\" class=\"fast-button\"><br \/>\n               FAST <\/p>\n<p>    <\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<section data-title=\"Content\" class=\"block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodearticlefield-content clearfix\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"text-long\">\n<p>SINGAPORE: Even by his own lofty standards, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.channelnewsasia.com\/asia\/former-malaysian-ministers-rafizi-and-nik-nazmi-quit-pm-anwars-pkr-give-up-mp-seats-6126611\">Rafizi Ramli<\/a> outdid himself in political theatre recently. In February, Malaysia\u2019s former minister of economy and former <span>Parti Keadilan Rakyat<\/span> (PKR) deputy president, teased the public with a June surprise amid his spectacular fallout with Prime Minister and PKR President Anwar Ibrahim.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Malaysians were duly alerted that Rafizi, with former Cabinet minister and fellow PKR maverick Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, would announce a new \u201cpolitical direction\u201d on May 17, settling months of speculation.<\/p>\n<p>While Anwar was in Johor Bahru addressing a Pakatan Harapan (PH) convention, Rafizi and Nik Nazmi took the stage in Petaling Jaya and stole the prime minister\u2019s thunder.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>They launched a new movement by taking over the hitherto obscure Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama). They declared their parliament seats vacant and terminated their PKR memberships. By law, MPs who switch parties are disqualified. Rafizi and Nik Nazmi thus <a href=\"https:\/\/www.channelnewsasia.com\/asia\/former-malaysian-ministers-rafizi-and-nik-nazmi-quit-pm-anwars-pkr-give-up-mp-seats-6126611\">resigned on their own terms<\/a> and freed themselves to helm Bersama. PKR is considering punitive action.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"in-article-games trimmed-content\">\n<div class=\"game-list-header\">CNA Games<\/div>\n<div class=\"game-list\">\n              <a class=\"game-tile\" href=\"https:\/\/www.channelnewsasia.com\/games\/guess-word\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"game-img\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Guess Word\" src=\"https:\/\/dam.mediacorp.sg\/image\/upload\/s--9rksCQgs--\/c_fill,g_auto,h_100,w_100\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1\/mediacorp\/cna\/image\/2025\/12\/03\/game_icon_-_wordrow_-_light_mode.png?itok=y_y6Lkrj\" alt=\"Guess Word\">\n          <\/div>\n<div class=\"game-desc\">\n<div class=\"game-title\">Guess Word<\/div>\n<div class=\"game-abt\">Crack the word, one row at a time<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>        <\/a><br \/>\n              <a class=\"game-tile\" href=\"https:\/\/www.channelnewsasia.com\/games\/buzzword\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"game-img\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Buzzword\" src=\"https:\/\/dam.mediacorp.sg\/image\/upload\/s--rNELTwDG--\/c_fill,g_auto,h_100,w_100\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1\/mediacorp\/cna\/image\/2025\/12\/03\/game_icon_-_buzzword_-_light_mode.png?itok=gjNCaVEc\" alt=\"Buzzword\">\n          <\/div>\n<div class=\"game-desc\">\n<div class=\"game-title\">Buzzword<\/div>\n<div class=\"game-abt\">Create words using the given letters<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>        <\/a><br \/>\n              <a class=\"game-tile\" href=\"https:\/\/www.channelnewsasia.com\/games\/mini-sudoku\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"game-img\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Mini Sudoku\" src=\"https:\/\/dam.mediacorp.sg\/image\/upload\/s--cDNZgbXf--\/c_fill,g_auto,h_100,w_100\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1\/mediacorp\/cna\/image\/2025\/12\/03\/game_icon_-_mini_sudoku_-_light_mode.png?itok=XJMtZA-S\" alt=\"Mini Sudoku\">\n          <\/div>\n<div class=\"game-desc\">\n<div class=\"game-title\">Mini Sudoku<\/div>\n<div class=\"game-abt\">Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>        <\/a><br \/>\n              <a class=\"game-tile\" href=\"https:\/\/www.channelnewsasia.com\/games\/mini-crossword\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"game-img\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Mini Crossword\" src=\"https:\/\/dam.mediacorp.sg\/image\/upload\/s--vQydxQJa--\/c_fill,g_auto,h_100,w_100\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1\/mediacorp\/cna\/image\/2025\/12\/03\/game_icon_-_mini_crossword_-_light_mode.png?itok=xnGbWUBS\" alt=\"Mini Crossword\">\n          <\/div>\n<div class=\"game-desc\">\n<div class=\"game-title\">Mini Crossword<\/div>\n<div class=\"game-abt\">Small grid, big challenge<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>        <\/a><br \/>\n              <a class=\"game-tile\" href=\"https:\/\/www.channelnewsasia.com\/games\/word-search\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"game-img\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Word Search\" src=\"https:\/\/dam.mediacorp.sg\/image\/upload\/s--lVhq9IJO--\/c_fill,g_auto,h_100,w_100\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1\/mediacorp\/cna\/image\/2025\/12\/03\/game_icon_-_word_search_-_light_mode.png?itok=J7DBf8e2\" alt=\"Word Search\">\n          <\/div>\n<div class=\"game-desc\">\n<div class=\"game-title\">Word Search<\/div>\n<div class=\"game-abt\">Spot as many words as you can<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>        <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n<div class=\"in-article-games__full-story-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"in-article-games__full-story-button-wrapper\">\n<a class=\"in-article-games__full-story-button\" href=\";\"><br \/>\n      Show More<br \/>\n  <\/a>\n      <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"in-article-games__full-story-button-wrapper\">\n<a class=\"in-article-games__full-story-less-button\" href=\";\"><br \/>\n      Show Less<br \/>\n  <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"social-media\">\n<div>\n<article>\n<div>\n<div class=\"video-embed-field-provider-youtube video-embed-field-responsive-video\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"text-long\">\n<h2>A BARE-KNUCKLED POLITICAL BRAWL\u00a0<\/h2>\n<p>Few saw the breach between Anwar and his next-generation comrades &#8211; all three are alumni of the prestigious Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK) &#8211; escalating to such a bare-knuckled political brawl.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Anwar inspired multitudes to join the reformasi movement from 1998 and founded Keadilan, PKR\u2019s predecessor, but it was Rafizi who brought his MCKK junior Nik Nazmi into the party. Twenty years ago, Nik Nazmi worked as Anwar\u2019s private secretary through a critical phase of party-building. When Anwar was still imprisoned, Rafizi stayed steadfast as a party leader, strategist and mobiliser, most pivotally at the 2018 election which saw the defeat of Barisan Nasional (BN). Then, the coalition was Anwar\u2019s arch nemesis.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.channelnewsasia.com\/asia\/malaysia-rafizi-ramli-anwar-parti-keadilan-rakyat-dissent-critic-6070481\">animosity between Anwar and Rafizi<\/a> runs deep, but has ploughed new depths more recently.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The relationship, although uneasy for years, reached a mutually destructive level after the acrimonious party elections of April 2025. A group of Rafizi-aligned PKR figures, including Nik Nazmi, were ousted as party branch leaders amid allegations of voting irregularities, and despite earlier signals that the top two posts would not be contested, Anwar\u2019s daughter Nurul Izzah emerged with a late nomination to unseat Rafizi as<a href=\"https:\/\/www.channelnewsasia.com\/asia\/malaysia-pm-anwars-daughter-nurul-izzah-elected-pkrs-deputy-president-becomes-his-new-heir-apparent-5149786\"> deputy president.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Following Rafizi and Nik Nazmi\u2019s concurrent resignations from Cabinet in May 2025, the vitriol intensified. Rafizi incessantly lambasted Anwar and PKR and raised corruption allegations, including against the then Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Azam Baki &#8211; cases that media reports had also uncovered.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In Feb 2026, the MACC launched an investigation into Rafizi for purported abuse of power in a RM1.1 billion (US$270 million) investment deal between Malaysia and UK-based semiconductor company Arm Holdings. The deal was facilitated by Rafizi\u2019s Ministry of Economy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"referenced-card\">\n<h4 class=\"h4 h4--related-block\">\n<div>Related:<\/div>\n<\/h4>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"media-object\">\n<div class=\"media-object__figure\">\n  <a class=\"link\" href=\"\/commentary\/malaysia-anwar-pkr-rafizi-nurul-izzah-party-family-5160021\"><br \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dam.mediacorp.sg\/image\/upload\/s--rWR2KLXV--\/c_fill,g_auto,h_98,w_175\/fl_relative,g_south_east,l_mediacorp:cna:watermark:2021-08:cna,w_0.1\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1\/mediacorp\/cna\/image\/2025\/05\/28\/composite_rafizi_anwar_izzah.jpg?itok=LMgxpQIn\"><br \/>\n                <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n<div class=\"media-object__content\">\n<div class=\"media-object__body\">\n<div class=\"list-object\">\n<h6 class=\"h6 list-object__heading\">\n<a class=\"h6__link list-object__heading-link\" href=\"\/commentary\/malaysia-anwar-pkr-rafizi-nurul-izzah-party-family-5160021\"><br \/>\n      <span>Commentary: The threat Rafizi&#8217;s resignation poses to PM Anwar\u2019s party and leadership<\/span><br \/>\n  <\/a><br \/>\n  <\/h6>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"media-object\">\n<div class=\"media-object__figure\">\n  <a class=\"link\" href=\"\/commentary\/umno-ge16-malaysia-unity-government-6120966\"><br \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dam.mediacorp.sg\/image\/upload\/s--RxVaEuVO--\/c_fill,g_auto,h_98,w_175\/fl_relative,g_south_east,l_mediacorp:cna:watermark:2021-08:cna,w_0.1\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1\/mediacorp\/cna\/image\/2026\/05\/14\/dsc_5612_copy.jpg?itok=TKJ1gQpE\" alt=\"Dsc 5612 copy\"><br \/>\n                <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n<div class=\"media-object__content\">\n<div class=\"media-object__body\">\n<div class=\"list-object\">\n<h6 class=\"h6 list-object__heading\">\n<a class=\"h6__link list-object__heading-link\" href=\"\/commentary\/umno-ge16-malaysia-unity-government-6120966\"><br \/>\n      <span>Commentary: UMNO has ambitions for Malaysia&#8217;s next general election but little room for manoeuvre<\/span><br \/>\n  <\/a><br \/>\n  <\/h6>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"text-long\">\n<h2>A &#8220;KAMIKAZE MISSION&#8221;<\/h2>\n<p>There is some logic behind their move to use Bersama as an electoral vehicle.<\/p>\n<p>PKR had become inhospitable to Rafizi and Nik Nazmi, but to run as independents, start a new party or occupy an existing one would go down a road that has repeatedly brought heartbreak and failure. In Peninsular Malaysia, large parties and broad coalitions dominate. In the first-past-the-post electoral system, small parties can get a respectable share of the vote but win no seats.<\/p>\n<p>Rafizi said aloud what his audience was thinking: The move is a kamikaze mission. He went on to admit a craziness in venturing forth, then shrugged off all concern about the bleak outcomes the punditry predict.<\/p>\n<p>It may be true that Rafizi and Nik Nazmi are not consumed with winning. But their political foes would be unwise to dismiss them.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Rafizi and Nik Nazmi are daring the establishment to react to their challenge, and daring the electorate to take a chance on their improbable campaign. Multi-ethnic Bersama could be a contender in urban constituencies for three reasons.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"referenced-card\">\n<h4 class=\"h4 h4--related-block\">\n<div>Related:<\/div>\n<\/h4>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"media-object\">\n<div class=\"media-object__figure\">\n  <a class=\"link\" href=\"\/commentary\/malaysia-sabah-election-state-autonomy-oil-reset-5499011\"><br \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dam.mediacorp.sg\/image\/upload\/s--6JAjofsF--\/c_fill,g_auto,h_98,w_175\/fl_relative,g_south_east,l_mediacorp:cna:watermark:2021-08:cna,w_0.1\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1\/mediacorp\/cna\/image\/2025\/11\/27\/fdz_7795.jpg?itok=hLGdARkn\" alt=\"\"><br \/>\n                <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n<div class=\"media-object__content\">\n<div class=\"media-object__body\">\n<div class=\"list-object\">\n<h6 class=\"h6 list-object__heading\">\n<a class=\"h6__link list-object__heading-link\" href=\"\/commentary\/malaysia-sabah-election-state-autonomy-oil-reset-5499011\"><br \/>\n      <span>Commentary: Sabah state election sends a clear message to KL \u2013 it\u2019s time for a reset<\/span><br \/>\n  <\/a><br \/>\n  <\/h6>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"media-object\">\n<div class=\"media-object__figure\">\n  <a class=\"link\" href=\"\/commentary\/malaysia-prime-minister-term-limit-anwar-ibrahim-unity-government-5988881\"><br \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dam.mediacorp.sg\/image\/upload\/s--8UPScEen--\/c_fill,g_auto,h_98,w_175\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1\/mediacorp\/cna\/image\/2026\/01\/27\/622656187_1476869117127984_7669608627003964921_n.jpg?itok=Xm-lEuwz\" alt=\"\"><br \/>\n                <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n<div class=\"media-object__content\">\n<div class=\"media-object__body\">\n<div class=\"list-object\">\n<h6 class=\"h6 list-object__heading\">\n<a class=\"h6__link list-object__heading-link\" href=\"\/commentary\/malaysia-prime-minister-term-limit-anwar-ibrahim-unity-government-5988881\"><br \/>\n      <span>Commentary: What next after Malaysia unity government\u2019s failed bid for PM term limit?<\/span><br \/>\n  <\/a><br \/>\n  <\/h6>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"text-long\">\n<h2>COULD BERSAMA WORK?<\/h2>\n<p>First, Bersama\u2019s profile and message could resonate with jaded voters. Rafizi decried the political culture that promises change but preserves the status quo.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Nik Nazmi\u2019s speech extolled the principles of moderation and fairness, and advocated for policies that would ensure dignified livelihoods for all. He borrowed New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani\u2019s evocative line from his inauguration address, that \u201cmoments of great possibility have been promptly surrendered to small imagination and smaller ambition\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>These messages are not entirely new, but they are enhanced by Rafizi and Nik Nazmi\u2019s demonstration of courage and willingness to take risks. This could resonate with voters who feel disillusioned with political elites. The Sabah state election in November showed that voters in PH\u2019s urban bases were willing to flip when multi-ethnic Warisan presented itself as an alternative.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<section class=\"block block- block--view-mode-default clearfix\">\n<figure class=\"figure block block- block--view-mode-default clearfix\" data-img-id=\"\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dam.mediacorp.sg\/image\/upload\/s--ACmrNdeS--\/c_fill,g_auto,h_468,w_830\/fl_relative,g_south_east,l_mediacorp:cna:watermark:2021-08:cna,w_0.1\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1\/mediacorp\/cna\/image\/2025\/11\/28\/dsc_2201_copy.jpg?itok=B7FGQjXE\" alt=\"\"><figcaption class=\"figure__caption\">\n      A boy walks past political party flags in Kampung Kesuapan, Pulau Gaya, on Nov 27, 2025. (Photo: CNA\/Zamzahuri Abas)<br \/>\n    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"text-long\">\n<p>Second, they have the capacity to strategise and execute campaigns. Rafizi brings rich experience in data analysis, social media machinery and communication platforms that channel tailored content to targeted voters.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>While their message may be audacious, their ambition need not be. This can play to their advantage.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Bersama can grow either through other MPs vacating their parliament seats and defecting to Bersama\u00a0or political newcomers joining; what matters is fielding a sizable slate of winsome candidates in selected seats. They prefer Bersama to strike out on its own rather than joining a coalition. This, however, does not preclude agreements with like-minded parties, such as Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA), to avoid clashes, even if they do not campaign together.<\/p>\n<p>Third, Bersama\u2019s novelty could appeal to new, undecided voters. Malaysia\u2019s recent elections have each been shaped by multi-cornered contests and splits in the Malay vote, in which younger, less partisan voters could swing the outcome.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Splitting the urban vote in PH strongholds adds further permutations &#8211; none of which, it must be said, guarantee gains to Bersama. But the field could open up to their benefit.<\/p>\n<p>Bersama has much to unveil and persuade, but it is already a new player making waves.<\/p>\n<p><em>Dr Lee Hwok-Aun is Senior Fellow of the Regional Economic Studies Programme, and Co-coordinator of the Malaysia Studies Programme at ISEAS \u2013 Yusof Ishak Institute. This article<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/fulcrum.sg\/rafizi-and-nik-nazmis-kamikaze-mission-a-brazen-double-dare\/\"><em> first appeared<\/em><\/a><em> in Fulcrum.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-title=\"Source\" class=\"block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodearticlefield-source clearfix\">\n<div class=\"source__block\">\n<div class=\"source source--with-label\">\n    Source: CNA\/zw(ch)\n  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-title=\"Categories\" class=\"block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodearticlefield-category clearfix\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"newslettercategory hidden\">\n<div class=\"layout layout--onecol\">\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"newslettercategory hidden\">\n<div class=\"layout layout--onecol\">\n<div class=\"layout__region layout__region--content\">\n<section data-title=\"Newsletter\" class=\"block block-layout-builder block-field-blocktaxonomy-termcategoryfield-newsletter 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There is much derring-do in the move, it is too early to write off the new entity, says this ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute researcher. Former Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":836,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-835","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Commentary: Ex-Malaysian ministers Rafizi and Nik Nazmi\u2019s &#039;kamikaze&#039; mission is a brazen double dare - Asia Newscast<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/?p=835\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Commentary: Ex-Malaysian ministers Rafizi and Nik Nazmi\u2019s &#039;kamikaze&#039; mission is a brazen double dare - Asia Newscast\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Advertisement Commentary Commentary: Ex-Malaysian ministers Rafizi and Nik Nazmi\u2019s &#8216;kamikaze&#8217; mission is a brazen double dare Two former Malaysian ministers have launched their own political party. 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