PKR has almost concluded its internal elections. It was refreshing, for a change, to see criticism and healthy debate in the mainstream media in the run up to and during the elections of a major government, instead of the usual sycophantic litanies about unity sung during similar government component party elections.

However, it also served as a reminder of a less publicised part of the democratic contest – that internal party competition can be far more divisive than political rivalry between opposing parties.

In PKR’s case, accusations of phantom voters, a tainted electoral roll, overnight registrations, shouting matches, fist fights, police reports and even arrests, may make one wonder if this were an elections run by the old SPR for the old MIC.

Still, coming from the other side of the fence, it seems a bit strange that the demands made for fair and free elections or the suggestions made to SPR, did not make its way into the debate on the PKR elections.

While the reluctance of civil society and other parties to get involved in what is commonly thought of as an internal party issue is understandable, it should also be taken into consideration, that the party in question is the largest party in the government bloc, with the most representation in Parliament, and the contest will have an effect on the succession plan for leadership of both the ruling coalition, and the government itself.

Despite a bitterly fought battle, it appears the status quo remains, with Mohamed Azmin Ali set to remain as deputy president, along with most of his team.

This settles quite a lot of uncertainty within circles of allies, pundits and supporters of Pakatan Harapan on a possible retaliation by his supporters on what seemed to be an impossible loss.

PKR has always been mature in that sense; previous contests for positions, both under the direct voting system or the previous delegates system, have never resulted in over-factionalism. In fact, until this election, PKR had always appeared to be a rather united party.

Its partners, Bersatu and Amanah are too young for factions to have formed in the parties while DAP has more or less had a Team A and B since the 1980s, but which has never allowed its internal squabbles to leak into national headlines.

With much more at stake now, being the ruling coalition, it will be more tempting for PH component parties to resort to factionalism and a warlord system to maintain order within its ranks and shore up individual and team political power in order to wield as leverage between component parties – for seat allocations, larger portions of political appointments, and so on.

To allow such a culture to take root in PH, would be an extremely costly mistake.

One of the major mistakes of the previous administration was that it allowed for largesse to become the dominating part of its politics, as opposed to a fringe benefit.

Salaries were inflated, positions and committees were created and roles were duplicated, triplicated and made up as they went along to feed the ever-growing greed that resulted from tasting power and money. To support such a mammoth structure, contracts were created, and new procedures appear to be almost made up in order to be adhered to, creating layer after layer of in a giant, corrupt waterfall, to allow financial flow and justify existence of all these organisations.

PH has an opportunity to not only put a halt to this, but even reverse the rot.

The indications are quite positive on this- despite most parties having their elections this year, the affair appears to be rather low-key, compared to those of ruling parties in the former government.

Steps taken to lessen the largesse, including lowering salaries, cutting down unnecessary positions, shrinking administrative committees and boards makes political positions deemed necessary for these positions less attractive, appear to be working.

PKR needs to lead by example in closing ranks after these elections, and prove that it is the same humble party that the people voted in and support, and the other component parties have no reason not to follow suit. – November 14, 2018.

* Emmanuel Joseph firmly believes that Klang is the best place on Earth, and that motivated people can do far more good than any leader with motive.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.