KUALA LUMPUR — Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) will keep its options open on contesting future state elections and the 16th General Election (GE16), while remaining open to possible cooperation with other political parties following veteran politician Ronnie Liu’s decision to join the party.
PBM president Datuk Larry Sng Wei Yik said the party would first hold internal discussions to refine its policies and direction before making decisions on electoral participation or political partnerships.
“Today is just the first day of our induction of Ronnie Liu into PBM. I believe that soon after this, we will have various discussions within the party to look at how we can fine-tune not just the party constitution, but also possibly the policies moving forward for the nation,” he told reporters during a press conference in Kuchai Lama today.
Larry said PBM would focus on addressing issues affecting Malaysians across both rural and urban communities, including those from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
“I think it is very important that we have to address the issues concerning people in West Malaysia as well, particularly those who are not just in rural areas, but also in urban areas, and our people of different race backgrounds as well,” he said.
He added that Liu’s entry into PBM would provide a platform for the veteran politician to raise issues affecting Malaysians more broadly.
“Now that he is coming in with PBM, using PBM as a platform, this will be a better vehicle for him to address and also to highlight these issues to Malaysia as a whole,” he said.
On whether PBM would contest upcoming state elections or GE16, Larry said the party had yet to make any decision.
“Whether or not we contest the election in the future, that is something that will be decided closer to the election time,” said the Julau MP.
The party also remained open to working with other political groupings, including Umno and Pakatan Harapan.
“These are issues that we have to discuss internally first. And of course, we can explore possibilities via electoral committees,” Larry said, adding that various forms of cooperation, including electoral understandings or pacts, could be considered.
Meanwhile, Liu said PBM’s immediate focus would be strengthening the party’s grassroots network and expanding its presence nationwide.
“We will spend more time in building up our divisions. We will get various people to help us,” he said.
“We will do visits to NGOs, visits to parties, visits to media to keep people informed of our policies, our activities and all that,” he added.
Larry said Liu’s value to PBM was not measured by the number of supporters he could bring into the party, but by his ability to represent public concerns.
“The most important thing for the people is that we are there to speak up for them. Whether or not we are able to change things, that is secondary. But we do our part.”
“I also hope that Ronnie will also bring in like-minded people into the political equation,” he said.
Liu said his decision to join PBM was based on his belief that Malaysia needed a different political approach.
“Because I believe Malaysia deserves better politics. I still believe that politicians of my generation have a duty to continue contributing our experience to the country. I still believe that politics must ultimately return to serve the people,” said the former Selangor executive councillor.
He said Malaysians were more concerned about the country’s progress, economic conditions, quality of life and future opportunities for younger generations.
“I know for a fact that a lot of young people don’t know what to do. Not only are the adults losing direction, our young people are also losing hope,” he said.
Liu said he hoped to contribute his experience in areas including local government reform, public administration, youth development, policy research and improving national governance standards.
He added that he shared PBM’s belief that politics should prioritise national interests and strengthen institutions.
“Governments must serve the people. Institutions must matter more than individuals. National interests must prevail over party interests,” he said.
Liu also supported PBM’s view that economic growth should result in improved living standards for ordinary Malaysians.
“Ordinary citizens do not live inside GDP statistics. People live within their households, at local markets, in schools, hospitals, and workplaces,” he said.
“If the national economy keeps growing while ordinary people’s lives grow harder, such growth is incomplete and meaningless,” he added.
Larry had earlier said PBM’s expansion into Peninsular Malaysia was not solely aimed at enlarging its organisational structure, but also at strengthening its ability to contribute to governance.
The party said it would focus on reforms related to national governance, local government modernisation, economic wellbeing, youth development and creating a more professional and transparent public administration system.
With Liu now part of its leadership ranks, PBM is seeking to expand its political footprint in Peninsular Malaysia, although its election strategy and potential alliances remain undecided. – August 9, 2026