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OPINION | Rafizi, I Want To Believe You - But I Don’t
26 May 2026 • 6:00 PM MYT
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(Image credit: Malay Mail)
For years, Malaysian politics has felt like watching the same drama with different costumes.
Every election season, someone appears with a fresh slogan and fresh promise to save Malaysia. They speak about fighting corruption, reform, justice, equality, and a better future for all races.
Then they win a few seats and suddenly everybody develops selective amnesia.
The people who once shouted “Bangsa Malaysia” start defending their own race like it is a family business.
The people who demanded free education suddenly become finance officers asking students to bayar balik pinjaman.
The loud rebels who once fought the system now walk around government buildings like interns trying not to upset their bosses.
Perjuangan reformasi slowly became reformati.
So when Rafizi Ramli launched Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama), forgive me if I did not immediately feel inspired. I felt tired.
Don’t get me wrong. Rafizi is intelligent. Very intelligent. Probably one of the few politicians who can actually explain economics without sounding like a motivational speaker selling crypto. And yes, Malaysia needs smart leaders like Rafizi.
But Malaysians also have trust issues now. Because we have seen this before.
A new party enters the scene promising courage and principles. Then election starts. Suddenly principles become “we need to be realistic.” Courage becomes “timing not suitable.” And difficult conversations disappear faster than ministerial promises.
This is my problem with political parties in general. No matter what they believe today, eventually most of them start dancing to the tune of the majority voter.
Because eventually, surviving politically becomes the most important thing to them. All their promises get flushed down the toilet. All their principles get swept under the rug. And truth becomes meaningless.
We don’t need another political party with whatever name, brand, and moto. Because ultimately, they are all the same. They’d say anything, do anything, to remain popular, to remain relevant.
I’d be interested to know how Bersama is going to be different than the rest that we’ve seen so far. Will they still defend their principles when it becomes unpopular? Will they protect the minorities when it risks Malay votes? Will they defend equal policies when the comment section turns angry?
And will they maintain the same ideals after tasting power in the government?
That is the real test.
Because right now, politicians keep asking Malaysians to trust them while giving us every reason not to.
If anything, Malaysian politics has taught many of us one thing: never fully trust anyone asking for your vote.
For years, Malaysian politics has felt like watching the same drama with different costumes.
Every election season, someone appears with a fresh slogan and fresh promise to save Malaysia. They speak about fighting corruption, reform, justice, equality, and a better future for all races.
Then they win a few seats and suddenly everybody develops selective amnesia.
The people who once shouted “Bangsa Malaysia” start defending their own race like it is a family business.
The people who demanded free education suddenly become finance officers asking students to bayar balik pinjaman.
The loud rebels who once fought the system now walk around government buildings like interns trying not to upset their bosses.
Perjuangan reformasi slowly became reformati.
So when Rafizi Ramli launched Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama), forgive me if I did not immediately feel inspired. I felt tired.
Don’t get me wrong. Rafizi is intelligent. Very intelligent. Probably one of the few politicians who can actually explain economics without sounding like a motivational speaker selling crypto. And yes, Malaysia needs smart leaders like Rafizi.
But Malaysians also have trust issues now. Because we have seen this before.
A new party enters the scene promising courage and principles. Then election starts. Suddenly principles become “we need to be realistic.” Courage becomes “timing not suitable.” And difficult conversations disappear faster than ministerial promises.
This is my problem with political parties in general. No matter what they believe today, eventually most of them start dancing to the tune of the majority voter.
Because eventually, surviving politically becomes the most important thing to them. All their promises get flushed down the toilet. All their principles get swept under the rug. And truth becomes meaningless.
We don’t need another political party with whatever name, brand, and moto. Because ultimately, they are all the same. They’d say anything, do anything, to remain popular, to remain relevant.
I’d be interested to know how Bersama is going to be different than the rest that we’ve seen so far. Will they still defend their principles when it becomes unpopular? Will they protect the minorities when it risks Malay votes? Will they defend equal policies when the comment section turns angry?
And will they maintain the same ideals after tasting power in the government?
That is the real test.
Because right now, politicians keep asking Malaysians to trust them while giving us every reason not to.
If anything, Malaysian politics has taught many of us one thing: never fully trust anyone asking for your vote.
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