Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi quit PKR, will vacate Pandan and Setiawangsa seats
Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli raise their hands together on stage during the official launch of ‘Bersama’ (Together) in Petaling Jaya May 17, 2026. — Picture by Raymond Manuel
Sunday, 17 May 2026 4:20 PM MYT
PETALING JAYA, May 17 — Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said they will vacate the Pandan and Setiawangsa seats tomorrow.
In announcing their takeover of the Malaysian United Party here today, the two former ministers also said they were officially leaving PKR.
The duo said they would notify the Dewan Rakyat Speaker of their withdrawal tomorrow.
Rafizi and Nik Nazmi also said they would formally write to the PKR secretary-general on Tuesday to inform the party of their decision.
At a later press conference, Rafizi said the move was intended to ensure their departure would not be seen as party-hopping, as they respected the mandate given to them under PKR and Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the previous general election.
Rafizi added that he believed other MPs would eventually consider similar moves once a new political platform was established, although he acknowledged that the Anti-Party Hopping Law remained a major constraint.
He said the law effectively binds MPs and assemblymen across all parties, including PKR, Amanah, DAP and Bersatu, limiting their options despite shifting political considerations.
“That is why Nik and I need to pave the way first by establishing this platform and providing it in advance. Any further decisions will be up to other elected representatives,” he said.
Nik Nazmi said the decision to vacate their seats was made to allow them the freedom to join a new political party, Bersama, while also respecting voters’ mandate under Pakatan Harapan and PKR.
“This is not a small decision, but we feel it is important to be fair to voters who elected us under the PH and PKR ticket in the last general election,” he said.
He added that building Bersama would require time ahead of upcoming elections, where the party intends to field candidates and develop its political narrative.
Rafizi said concerns over potential legal action also influenced their approach, noting that PKR’s bond arrangements would typically apply only if MPs left the party to join another while retaining their seats.
He said their decision to vacate their seats meant they were returning the mandate to voters and therefore would not be subject to such conditions.
“That is also why the announcement is structured differently. PKR’s lawsuit or bond arrangement only applies if we leave the party and join another while remaining MPs. Previously, there were no MPs willing to vacate their seats.
“Everyone wants to be an MP but also wants to switch parties. What we are doing today is vacating our seats and returning the mandate to the people. Therefore, when we leave as PKR members on Tuesday, it will not be subject to the bond. That is why we are taking this approach,” he said.
Rafizi added that the decision on whether a by-election would be held now rested with the Dewan Rakyat Speaker.
He noted that under the Federal Constitution, a by-election is generally not required if a seat has been vacant for more than three years after the general election, but said there is also a provision allowing the Speaker to call one if the vacancy affects the government’s majority.
“In the current situation, it should not apply as the government’s majority is 150 even without the two of us. The majority now stands at 152.
“Once we vacate, it becomes 150, which is still strong compared to the required 112. So, there should not be a by-election, but ultimately it depends on the Speaker’s decision,” he said.
Both men also said they would continue serving their respective constituencies — Pandan and Setiawangsa — after vacating their seats.
