Muda and former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli are understood to be in discussions over a possible political collaboration, as the Pandan MP prepares to unveil what he has described as a “new political direction” this Sunday.
A source close to the matter told FMT that Muda, through its deputy president Zaidel Baharuddin, reached out to Rafizi last month to explore working together, though both sides have yet to formalise any arrangement.
“Johor may be the testing ground for this collaboration,” the source said on condition of anonymity, referring to the upcoming state polls in which Muda is said to be targeting between five and 10 seats. The current Johor state government’s term runs until April 2027.
Muda opens the door to Rafizi
Zaidel had previously been reported as saying that Muda was open to working with Rafizi in some capacity.
This could include Rafizi contesting the next general election on a Muda ticket, or contributing to the party’s political strategy in an advisory role.
Speculation over a possible Muda-Rafizi tie-up intensified after Muda president Amira Aisya Abd Aziz posted a photograph of herself with former PKR vice-president Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad on social media.
A shared political journey
On Wednesday, Rafizi said he and Nik Nazmi, the Setiawangsa MP, had taken time to carefully weigh various views and factors before deciding on the next chapter of their political journey.
The two had stepped down from the Cabinet in May 2025 — Rafizi as economy minister and Nik Nazmi as natural resources and environmental sustainability minister.
Their departures followed Rafizi’s defeat to Nurul Izzah Anwar in the PKR deputy presidency contest, with Nik Nazmi also failing to retain his vice-presidency in the same party elections.
The source noted that a Muda-Rafizi collaboration was not without precedent.
The two had previously joined forces at a rally protesting against then Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief Azam Baki, suggesting that a more formal partnership was not beyond the realm of possibility.
