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SHAH ALAM - A senior Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) lawmaker has stopped short of ruling out a move to Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama), saying the right vehicle for progressive politics matters more than party loyalty, although 18 years in PKR is not something he would give up lightly.
Petaling Jaya Member of Parliament Lee Chean Chung, speaking on Sinar Daily's Top News Podcast Time to Fix the System, was asked directly whether he would join Bersama, the new third-force party led by former economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and former natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
He did not rule it out.
"PKR is my first party. And how many years, 18 years. Many of my productive, youthful years I dedicated to the cause. I don't think I want to give that up," he said.
Lee said the more important question was not whether he would follow certain individuals, but which political platform could best move the country forward and preserve space for progressive politics.
"It's really about the vehicle, which one will carry the country and the right forward to allow a space for progressive politics," he said.
He described the current political climate as deeply toxic, driven by personal attacks and demonisation rather than genuine ideological debate.
"It's very toxic today. It's about demonising, and I don't think it's healthy. So I'm looking for a really good space to advocate this," he said.
Lee said he would reserve his decision on Bersama until the time came, stressing that his immediate priority was to first receive a professional response from PKR.
"I will reserve that really for when the time comes. But now, as I said, priority is really to have a really professional reply from the party," he said.
Bersama entered the national spotlight after Rafizi and Nik Nazmi officially assumed leadership of the party at a public ceremony at the Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre.
The move followed tensions within PKR after both leaders lost in the May 2025 party elections, leading to their departure from the federal Cabinet and, eventually, PKR.
To comply with Malaysia's anti-party hopping law, both leaders vacated their parliamentary seats before joining Bersama. Subang MP Wong Chen has also been linked to the movement.
Bersama positions itself as a progressive, multiracial party focused on governance reforms, integrity and institutional change, with Rafizi describing it as an alternative to divisive race-based politics.
