AFTER 20 years of pushing the “reformasi” agenda, PKR has evolved from a party with a single focus of fighting for justice for Anwar Ibrahim to fighting for rights, freedoms and institutional reforms for all Malaysians, said party vice-president Chua Tian Chang.

Chua, who was one of PKR’s original founders, said many perceived the “reformasi” movement in 1999 to be about Anwar, how he was denied his right to become the next prime minister after his sacking.

“People focused on Anwar… because Anwar was denied his right to leadership and was jailed, therefore, we sympathised with him. So, the bigger agenda was never prominently projected,” he said.

“There was a passionate focus on Anwar’s release and then we staged demonstrations.”

Chua, better known as Tian Chua, said PKR has long expanded on its goals and purpose, looking into aspects of Malaysian society where the people’s freedom was curtailed, such as calling for the abolishment of the Internal Securities Act (ISA) and other draconian laws.

“It extended to issues of reforms. Rotation of powers, fairer elections.

“Reformasi finally became a movement that wanted to see a multi-party democracy exist. So, this is the progression,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Anwar, who served a five-year jail sentence after a second sodomy conviction, was given a royal pardon and released days after Pakatan Harapan took over Putrajaya following the 14th general election last year.

The 71-year-old then went on to win the Port Dickson parliamentary seat and is expected to succeed Dr Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister.

Chua said PKR had always been a multiracial party, as well as a beacon of reform in the country.

“I am proud that in two decades, we were able to establish a party to fulfil expectations.

“We have gone beyond a party of riots and championing Anwar’s freedom only. Now we are being given responsibility to change the country.”

Chua urged the newer members of the party to “never forget the struggles of the past”, now that PKR was in a “comfortable” ruling position.

“New people in the party are coming in at a time when we are settled, it is comfortable for them. The reminder for the new generation is to remember the people’s mandate and stay loyal to the people.”

Some 20 years after its formation, PKR is now the party with the largest number of members in the ruling PH coalition, with 49 lawmakers. – May 2, 2019.