One of the group’s founders, Tawfik Ismail, said the recently concluded Johor elections were a “harbinger for GE15”.

He said that nothing was going to change unless the key people in the opposition themselves changed for the better.

“Rafizi, if you think that it is beyond the capabilities of PKR to change with the times, then please come join us as an Independent in Gerak Independent,” he said in a statement today.

Tawfik added that Gerak was “just getting started” and had no baggage.

“We only strive for the integrity of the votes by focussing on the individual’s commitment to integrity and principles and effective change, rather than party promises and compromises.”

Rafizi recently announced his return to active politics, a move that drew brickbats among PKR members.

On Tuesday, he said his decision to return to active politics followed the recent outcome of the Johor polls, where he said both PKR and Pakatan Harapan “came in third” after Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional.

He is eyeing the deputy president’s post in the PKR elections in May and will likely go up against party secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

Last month, Rafizi told Malaysiakini that he was a “radical” and that the PKR leadership and its allies were uncomfortable with his approach and ideas.