JOHOR BAHRU (June 7): Parti Bersama Malaysia will stand on its own in upcoming elections, said its leader Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli.

There will not be collaborations with other parties or coalitions because the point of Bersama as a political startup is to disrupt the political scene, he said on Saturday (June 6) at the first Bersama tour where he outlined his party’s ambition and role in Malaysian politics.

Bersama could become a force in national politics in five to six years and win 70 to 90 seats in the Parliament by the 17th general election, he trumpeted.

Last month, Rafizi took over the helm of Bersama, set up in 2016, from its founder Tan Gin Theam after quitting PKR along with his former Cabinet colleague Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad amid widening internal party rift.  

Rafizi previously served as economy minister, while Nik Nazmi was minister of natural resources and environmental sustainability.

If Bersama wins only one seat in Parliament, it is already an achievement for the party launched barely three weeks ago and now heading into Johor state elections, Rafizi said over the weekend at the Danga Bay Convention Centre.

Bersama could become a force with 10 seats in the Dewan Rakyat, he said, drawing parallel to when he led a group of 10 members of Parliament to oppose a bill to separate the attorney general and public prosecutor offices, which led to the bill being withdrawn.

Nevertheless, there are also other ways for the party to defend the interests of the people, even if Bersama fails to secure victory at the upcoming state and general elections, Rafizi said.

“The governments of today, not just in Malaysia but in other countries, are scared of the power of viral content,” Rafizi pointed out. “With our loud voices and big mouths, we will make sure that people’s issues are raised and amplified.”