GE16 expected to be an open battleground - Rafizi

THE 16th General Election (GE16) is expected to be an open or 'free-for-all' competition when each political party is seen to be leading its own course and strategy for the sake of its own survival.

Former PKR Deputy President, Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, said that the scenario is becoming clearer when Umno is no longer deemed a 'second player' to Pakatan Harapan (PH) in facing the election.

According to the former Economy Minister, Umno was not established to complement other parties, but rather has the goal of regaining control of the government.

"Umno does not exist to be a political accessory to others. Umno exists to control the government.

"After GE15, UMNO lost big. To survive, they entered the government with PH. That was a temporary arrangement to form a government and stabilise the country.

"But that's not a political marriage to death," he said in a Facebook post.

Rafizi believes that the political strategy of trying to 'embrace all parties' has a fundamental weakness because it assumes that all parties will follow the wishes of the Federal government, while each party has its own interests and survival agenda.

"If Umno wants to follow PH's instructions, it's better to join PKR.

"PH, BN, PN (Perikatan Nasional), state parties and new parties will all consider their own paths," he said.

According to the former Pandan MP, the new party he is joining, Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama), was prepared to face such a political landscape. – May 26, 2026