Anwar Ibrahim hit by PKR exodus to Rafizi's new party

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is facing political pressure after former economy minister Rafizi Ramli left the People's Justice Party, or PKR, and took over the small Malaysia United Party, or Bersama. The new party said it has received more than 18,000 membership applications, with about one-third coming from former PKR members. While most of those switching are said to be grassroots members and local officials, the development has raised doubts about PKR's cohesion ahead of a possible early election. PKR lawmaker Hassan Abdul Karim said the party is now "wounded" and warned that Anwar could lose legitimacy if more lawmakers backing Rafizi leave. PKR denied there had been a major exodus. Fuziah Salleh and Fahmi Fadzil said the movement was limited, and there were about 5,000 new members in the past two months.