Former Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) leaders Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad resigned from PKR and gave up their respective parliamentary seats of Pandan and Setiawangsa on May 17, 2026. They have taken over Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama) and plan to contest upcoming elections under the new party banner [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6].
Despite these high-profile departures, PKR’s youth wing, Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK), emphasized that the party remains strong. AMK chief Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim said on May 23 in Kota Bharu that only a small number—one or two PKR members—had left following Rafizi and Nik Nazmi’s exit, dismissing concerns of a mass exodus [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. He highlighted PKR's resilience, citing the party’s survival after predictions of collapse in 2020 and its success in forming the government after the 15th General Election (GE15). “Young people are also capable of making sound judgments,” Muhammad Kamil added, wishing the former leaders well and thanking them for their service [1].
The youth wing continues to grow membership and is strengthening its organizational machinery in readiness for the upcoming state and general elections, he said [6].
Earlier, on the night of May 22 in Alor Setar during the National Youth Day celebrations, AMK vice-chief Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari said that the resignations, including some at the AMK level, would not derail PKR’s focus. He stated, “PKR has always looked ahead. Every individual has their own rights, but what is important is that this will not have a major impact on the party. We want to continue progressing and moving forward, while strengthening the party at the grassroots level, including branches and activists” [7].
Dr Taufiq also underscored youth empowerment as vital to PKR’s future, urging youths to build knowledge, character, and spirit to help develop Malaysia [8].
PKR Youth’s message of stability and growth comes as the party gears up for the next state and general elections. The organization intends to maintain and build on its current momentum in membership and grassroots strength ahead of these contests [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6].
