THE PKR elections in 2018 were meant to be a triumphant return and the first time Anwar Ibrahim leading the party he founded following his ouster and subsequent jailing in 1998.

Instead, they created a rift so big their effects are still felt today. The polls that year led to a boycott by deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali and ally, vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin, of PKR leadership meetings throughout 2019.

And it saw Azmin, Zuraida, and other vice-presidents – Ali Biju, Chua Tian Chang and several others – stage an unprecedented walkout during the PKR congress in Malacca in December last year.

Although Azmin blamed Anwar for allowing delegates at the congress to attack him with his “Si Kitol” reference in his opening speech, the rift can be traced back to the 2018 elections.

Then, while Azmin managed to beat Rafizi Ramli in the bitterly fought party elections, the latter was still reappointed by Anwar into the party’s central leadership committee (MPN).

Rafizi’s reappointment, according to Azmin’s supporters, was unfair although the party constitution grants the president authority to appoint a number of people into the MPN.

Such appointments of losers into positions of leadership were cited by Azmin’s faction as one reason to boycott the MPN and political bureau meetings throughout 2019.

Another allegation that Azmin’s supporters have levelled against Anwar is a leaked video implicating the economic affairs minister in a sex scandal, which the former has denied.

The matter was dropped after police concluded that the identities of the two men in the sex clip cannot be verified. On that basis, the attorney-general also said there is insufficient evidence to proffer charges.

Anwar’s followers, on the other hand, accuse Azmin’s faction of plotting to ensure the PKR president does not become the next prime minister.

Neither side managed to make any headway on this but Azmin and leaders aligned to him have said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad should lead the country for a full term instead of handing over to Anwar before the next general election as agreed among Pakatan Harapan parties.

“The rift has worsened although Anwar has offered an olive branch,” said PKR vice-president Chang Lih Kang.

Chang was referring to Anwar’s conciliatory approach towards Azmin after the latter’s walkout at the congress last year. Anwar said PKR will not take disciplinary action against his deputy, despite his actions.

Chang, who is the Tanjung Malim MP, said Azmin not only declined to reconcile but continues to back Dr Mahathir for a full term.

“Azmin and even Zuraida have openly backed Dr Mahathir, and this is unhelpful when we are trying to talk about transition dates and the future of PH and Malaysia as a whole,” said Chang.

However, he is optimistic that the issue will be resolved by year-end.

That will be when Malaysia completes its hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit, the milestone Dr Mahathir said will mark the start of his power transfer to Anwar.

Chang said once the transition timeline is clear, there should be no more politicking against Anwar and tensions within the party should be reduced.

“It hinges on the transition. If everything goes on smoothly, the rift can be mended. Failing which, it will be very tough.”

The transition issue, with a fixed date in particular, is expected to be on the agenda today when the PH presidential council meets.

Whether or not it will silence Azmin’s camp, the crux is PKR must stop its bickering, or PH as a whole will be affected in the next elections.

International Islamic University of Malaysia’s political science lecturer Lau Zhe Wei said he doesn’t see both camps reconciling soon.

However, the public bickering must at least stop if PH is to salvage its credibility before the next polls, he said.

The ruling coalition must also double up efforts to fulfil election pledges to cover for some of the discord.

“If PH succeeds in fulfilling most of its manifesto, the PKR conflict may not have too much of an impact.

“But with the current government’s image and popularity at its weakest, the internal conflict will affect voters’ choice,” said Lau. – February 21, 2020.