A source close to the matter said Muda, through its deputy president Zaidel Baharuddin, offered to work with Rafizi last month.

“Johor may be the testing ground for this collaboration,” the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told FMT, referring to the next state polls, where Muda is eyeing between five and 10 seats.

The current Johor government’s term will end in April 2027.

Zaidel was previously reported as saying that Muda was open to working with Rafizi in some capacity, although both sides have yet to establish a formal relationship.

He said this could include Rafizi contesting in the next general election on a Muda ticket or offering advice on the party’s political strategy.

Speculation that Muda and Rafizi could join forces intensified after party president Amira Aisya Abd Aziz posted a picture of herself with former PKR vice-president Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad on social media.

On Wednesday, Rafizi said that he and Nik Nazmi, the Setiawangsa MP, had taken time to carefully consider various views and factors in determining the next chapter of their political journey.

Rafizi and Nik Nazmi resigned as economy minister and natural resources and environmental sustainability minister, respectively, in May 2025.

This came after Rafizi lost the PKR deputy president’s post to Nurul Izzah Anwar in the party elections. His ally, Nik Nazmi, also failed to retain his vice-presidency.

The source went on to say that a Muda-Rafizi collaboration was not impossible, as they had joined forces in the past, citing the recent rally protesting against then Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief Azam Baki.