From time to time, I believe we need a heart-warming political story to brighten the gloomy political landscape that has hung over us for far too long. This week, I came across one such story.
The story behind Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli’s takeover of Parti Bersama Malaysia is one of the rare political developments in Malaysia that genuinely touches the heart. Well, in my opinion, at least.
In a political environment often associated with money, power struggles and personal ambition, the manner in which the transfer took place offers a refreshing reminder that ideals and sincerity still exist in public life.
According to a recent report in Sin Chew Daily, the party’s founding president, Tan Gim Theam, handed over the party to Rafizi without demanding millions of ringgit or negotiating political rewards.
No money changed hands. There were no ugly public quarrels, no legal battles and no backroom bargaining. Instead, what emerged was a quiet understanding between individuals who appeared to share a common vision for the country.
That simple act alone, in my view, says much about Tan’s character. In today’s political climate, political parties are often treated as commercial assets. Some are created merely to become bargaining chips during elections or to secure positions and contracts later.
Yet Tan seemed motivated by something very different. After spending 10 years building Bersama, he was prepared to place the party in Rafizi’s hands because he believed the latter could give it greater meaning and relevance at the national level. Such trust is rare and admirable.
It also reflects the political appeal that Rafizi continues to command despite his recent setbacks within PKR. Even his critics acknowledge that Rafizi remains one of the country’s brightest political minds.
He has long cultivated the image of a reformist politician willing to challenge entrenched interests and speak uncomfortable truths. For supporters who have become disappointed with the slow pace of reforms under the Unity Government, Rafizi still represents hope for a more principled and policy-driven politics.
That explains why the Bersama story resonates emotionally with many Malaysians. It is not merely about a party takeover. It is about political continuity, trust and idealism. It is about one man entrusting another with a dream that took years to build.
The story also reminds me of my own experience with the State Reform Party (Star) in Sarawak. In 1996, together with the late Dr Patau Rubis and his supporters, we established the party with the hope of creating a stronger opposition voice in the state. I later served as its first secretary-general.
Like many small opposition parties, Star struggled against overwhelming odds, limited resources and the dominance of the ruling coalition.
After Dr Patau’s sudden passing in 2016, Star in Sarawak gradually faded into irrelevance. Yet, interestingly, the party found new life in Sabah through Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who later became the state’s deputy chief minister.
When Jeffrey contested and won the Bingkor state seat under the Star banner in 2013, questions were suddenly raised by the Registrar of Societies over whether a Sarawak-based party could contest in Sabah.
The irony was obvious. Star had fielded candidates in Sabah before, during the 1999 general election, without issue. Only after victory was secured did technical objections arise.
Eventually, Jeffrey resolved the matter by registering a new Sabah-based party, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku, while retaining the familiar “Star” abbreviation. In a way, the original spirit of Star survived through adaptation and reinvention.
That is why I can understand the significance of Rafizi taking over Bersama. Political parties are not merely organisations with logos and constitutions. They are vehicles for ideas, aspirations and struggles.
Sometimes a party founded by one group must evolve under new leadership in order to survive and remain relevant.
Still, there are practical challenges ahead for Bersama. Since the party is reportedly registered in Penang, questions may eventually arise over whether it intends to remain state-based or transform into a truly national platform.
Rafizi and his team will certainly need to ensure that all legal and organisational matters are carefully managed to avoid the sort of complications once faced by Star.
More importantly, Bersama must now prove that it is more than simply a refuge for disillusioned politicians. Malaysians today are politically mature and increasingly sceptical. They will not support a new party merely because it features familiar personalities. The party must present clear policies, credible leadership and a convincing national agenda.
What Bersama perhaps offers at this stage is not immediate political power, but renewed political imagination. It gives Malaysians another platform to observe, evaluate and perhaps rally behind if it proves sincere and competent.
For now, the most striking aspect of the entire episode remains the manner in which the takeover occurred. In politics, we are accustomed to stories of betrayal, greed and manipulation. Rarely do we encounter a story centred on trust, goodwill and shared conviction.
That is why the Bersama takeover feels so heart-warming.
At a time when cynicism dominates public opinion, Tan Gim Theam’s decision to hand over his party freely to Rafizi Ramli serves as a reminder that some people still enter politics not for money or status, but because they genuinely believe they can contribute to a better future for the nation.
Whether Bersama ultimately succeeds or fails politically is another matter altogether. But the spirit behind its transition deserves recognition and respect.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. He can be reached at sirsiah@gmail.com
