Nik Nazmi Reveals Bersama’s First 20,000 Members, Nearly Half Are New to Politics

KUALA LUMPUR, June, 2026 — Nearly half of Parti Bersama Malaysia’s first 20,000 members had never joined any political party before, according to former PKR vice-president Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

Nik Nazmi said politically unaffiliated Malaysians made up 46% of Bersama’s earliest membership base, making them the largest recruitment group for the newly revived party.

The figures were revealed as Nik Nazmi provided the first detailed breakdown of Bersama’s membership since he and former Pandan MP Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli took control of the previously dormant party earlier this month.

According to the breakdown, former PKR members made up 29% of Bersama’s first 20,000 sign-ups, making them the second-largest group after first-time political party members.

The remaining members came from several political parties across both government and opposition blocs. Former Umno members accounted for 6.3%, followed by PAS at 5.2%.

Amanah and Bersatu each contributed 2.5% of Bersama’s early members, while former Muda members made up 2.2%. Former DAP members accounted for 1.3%.

Nik Nazmi said that when combined, members from the four main Malay-majority parties — Umno, PAS, Bersatu and Amanah — made up about 15% of Bersama’s membership.

In terms of ethnic composition, Bersama’s current membership stands at 62% Malay, 16% Indian and 15% Chinese, according to the figures shared by Nik Nazmi.

Nik Nazmi said the large number of first-time party members showed that many Malaysians were looking for a political alternative outside existing parties. He suggested that Bersama’s early recruitment was not mainly driven by members leaving rival parties, but by voters who had previously stayed outside formal party politics.

The membership profile may help Bersama position itself as a new platform for politically unaffiliated voters, especially those who are dissatisfied with existing political choices but have not previously committed to any party.

The figures also show that Bersama has attracted support from across Malaysia’s political spectrum, with members coming from PKR, Umno, PAS, Amanah, Bersatu, Muda and DAP.

This could give the party a mixed political base as it attempts to build its identity under the leadership of Rafizi and Nik Nazmi. However, the high percentage of first-time members also means Bersama will need to develop a strong organisational structure, grassroots network and political direction to turn early interest into long-term support.

Nik Nazmi also revealed that several sitting lawmakers from both government and opposition parties had approached Bersama about joining the party.

He said the number of lawmakers who had shown interest was more than the five PKR MPs who had previously been the subject of speculation. However, he added that Bersama had told them to wait for now due to several considerations, including the stability of the government.

His remarks suggest that Bersama is moving carefully despite growing political attention around the party. Taking in sitting lawmakers too quickly could create wider political consequences, especially in the current parliamentary environment.

Rafizi and Nik Nazmi formally assumed control of Bersama on May 17 before resigning from Parliament the following day.

Their move has made Bersama one of the most closely watched new political developments in Malaysia, especially because both leaders were formerly senior figures in PKR.

The latest membership breakdown gives the first clearer picture of who is joining Bersama and where its early support is coming from.

For now, the party’s biggest recruitment pool appears to be Malaysians who were not previously attached to any political party. This could become a key part of Bersama’s political message as it seeks to build support among voters looking for a different option in Malaysian politics.

At the same time, Bersama’s ability to attract former members from several established parties shows that it may also appeal to politically active individuals who are seeking a new platform.

The challenge for Bersama will be turning its first 20,000 members into an organised political movement with clear leadership, policies and grassroots machinery.

As Malaysia’s political landscape continues to shift, Bersama’s early membership growth will likely remain under close attention, especially if more lawmakers, former party members and unaffiliated voters decide to join in the coming months.