Is Rafizi saving Reformasi – or burying it?

Charles Chia

Rafizi Ramli and his group have every legal right to take over or build a new political party – let there be no doubt about that. There is nothing unconstitutional or illegal about it.

But political action is not judged by mere legality. The true yardstick is far more demanding: morality, purpose, timing and consequence.

The group picked up a weak, little-known party and turned it into their platform – which begs the question: what is their mission statement? And why the haste?

This pattern is painfully familiar. We have seen it before – in Pejuang, Putra and Gerakan Tanah Air. These were parties built not on principles but on personalities, electoral calculations and vote-splitting. In Malaysia, such politics has become almost routine.

But Bersama claims to stand for “real reform”. It insists that the ruling PKR has failed to deliver. If there is any truth to that claim, then its own conduct must be held to a higher standard.

Reform from within

A genuinely reformist party should grow from the social needs of the country, not from factional frustration or personal rivalry.

More importantly, it should strengthen progressive and democratic forces, not weaken them.

Yet the practical effect of this new venture is obvious: to draw support away from PKR and the DAP, split the reform vote, and position itself as the “true” Reformasi force.

They have the right to do so. But the people of Malaysia also have the right to ask: why now, and for what purpose?

The likely outcome is not theoretical but concrete and dangerous. The split in the reformist camp could open the door to the return of an ethnic Malay-Muslim dominant government aligned with conservative forces.

If that happens, what becomes of the ongoing anti-corruption cases? What becomes of institutional reforms? What becomes of the multiracial democratic project that Reformasi was supposed to defend?

One cannot claim to defend reform while creating the conditions for its collapse.

Another Sheraton Move?

That is why many will see this as another version of the Sheraton Move. The methods may differ, but the political effect is the same: weakening the existing reform coalition and opening the door to forces that oppose democratic and multiracial politics.

The difference is that this time it is done under the banner of “true Reformasi” – which makes it all the more troubling.

The tragedy is not merely political but moral as well. Those who genuinely wish to build a united, multi-ethnic Malaysia should be pulling democratic forces together, not splitting them apart at the most dangerous moment.

At the same time, PKR cannot afford to be complacent. Silence will only reinforce the accusation that the party has abandoned its Reformasi ideals. It must actively defend its record.

PKR was not built overnight. It grew from real social conditions, mass anger against authoritarianism and a national democratic movement.

That is why, despite endless attacks from the state, internal betrayals and repeated electoral defeats, it survived. It eventually became the core governing party of Malaysia.

It is imperfect, certainly. No ruling party escapes contradictions. But imperfection is not betrayal.

Critics point to controversial figures within PKR and claim this proves Reformasi is dead.

But how do certain personalities erase decades of struggle, sacrifice, reforms efforts and democratic opening?

On what basis can newcomers suddenly brand PKR non-reformist and claim themselves the sole guardians of reform – while doing things that objectively weakens the reform movement itself?

PKR must fight back

PKR must therefore stop playing defence and start being political.

The party needs a serious strategic response. A task force should be set up to confront this challenge directly, and Nurul Izzah Anwar would be well placed to lead it, whether openly or behind the scenes.

This is no ordinary factional dispute. It is a fight over political legitimacy, narrative and survival.

The new challengers are dangerous precisely because they understand PKR’s weak points. They are media-savvy, strategic, articulate and backed by an aggressive network of podcasters and online influencers.

But if their motives are questionable and their intentions are not upright, cracks will eventually surface and consume them.

Excessive personal attacks and relentless unfounded criticisms of PKR – rather than of the conservative forces – are a fixture of their podcasts, and these may become their undoing.

A movement that constantly proclaims itself morally superior must ultimately be judged by whether its actions strengthen or destroy the broader democratic cause.

PKR cannot rely solely on Anwar Ibrahim to carry this battle. The party machinery, members, sympathisers, intellectuals and grassroots supporters must engage openly and with confidence.

They must remind the people what Reformasi actually achieved, what dangers still exist, and why a split at this moment carries enormous national consequences.

This is a battle with no retreat.

Voters are now watching carefully. The question before them is no longer merely whether PKR is flawed. After all, every party is flawed.

The real question is whether PKR, despite its shortcomings, remains worth defending as the central pillar of Malaysia’s democratic and multiracial future.

Charles Chia Yong Tai is a member of Monsoons Malaysia. A Chinese version of this article was published in SinChew Daily on 28 May 2026.

What do you think? Do you agree with this article or do you think Rafizi and his collegues were right to leave PKR for Bersama? Leave your comments below.

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