Rafizi says DAP’s unity government choice was expected
Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli said the Democratic Action Party’s decision to remain in the unity government was foreseeable because parties rarely give up power once they hold it.
Source: Utusan Malaysia · August 16, 2026 at 7:46 PM · AI-assisted report
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GEORGE TOWN, 17 AUGUST 2026 —
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Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli said the Democratic Action Party’s decision to remain in the unity government was foreseeable because parties rarely give up power once they hold it.
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Speaking at a Bersama event in George Town on Monday night, the Bersama leader said DAP now occupies many posts—ministers, deputy ministers, chief ministers, executive councillors and local councillors—making withdrawal politically costly. “Why would voters think it easy to walk away and uphold a principle of never joining government?” he asked.
Rafizi, a former PKR deputy president, criticised PKR for repeating past struggle narratives amid current criticism, and DAP for telling members that leaving the government would return them to opposition and cost their positions. He denied Bersama acts as a Trojan horse for Barisan Nasional or PAS, saying both can weaken Pakatan Harapan without outside help—“only Anwar Ibrahim is needed.”
He added that national politics remains stuck on racial issues while parties overlook daily concerns such as healthcare costs and elderly access to hospitals.