GIVEN the lack of options, political observers said Anwar Ibrahim is still the best person to lead PKR into the 15th general election despite calls for him to step aside after losing three consecutive state elections in recent months.

However, there are things the former deputy prime minister could do to regain voter confidence in PKR and the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, which he chairs.

Liew Wui Chern from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman Malaysia said even those who want Anwar to step down now know no one else can lead PKR.

This can be seen from the lack of challengers against the Port Dickson MP for the PKR president’s post in the ongoing party polls, he said.

Anwar has been returned unopposed as PKR president while the deputy president’s post is being contested by secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and vice-president Rafizi Ramli.

“If there is truly a potential successor, they would want to test their mettle and use the party elections, but no such leader has emerged,” observed Liew, who teaches journalism.

However, Anwar can help himself, PKR and PH by assuring voters he would be willing to set aside his personal goal of becoming prime minister, he added.

The perception that Anwar is adamant on becoming prime minister and that PKR exists for this reason, is not the biggest problem facing the party, although it is one of the issues, Liew said.

“What Anwar can do is that after the party elections are over, he must start charting a succession plan, and he must not be vague about it.

“Make it clear to the outside world that he can put aside his dream of being prime minister. Voter confidence can then be restored, and this will change their perception that the party exists for him to be prime minister.”

More than 20 years ago, Anwar would have been in line to succeed Dr Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister but both had a falling out. Anwar’s sacking was on grounds of corruption and sodomy, which he and his supporters deemed politically motivated charges. The episode sparked the Reformasi movement and the beginning of PKR.

After his release from prison and return to politics, Anwar had, on different occasions, claimed he had the numbers among MPs to become prime minister, but this never materialised. He has also been vague about supposed documents to prove his support, which he continues to keep close to his chest.

Liew said dissatisfaction with Anwar over these unfulfilled claims has long existed.

“It was not until PKR’s defeats or poor performance in recent state elections – Malacca, Sarawak and Johor – that the voices urging him to step aside became even louder.”

Lau Zhe Wei, Associate Professor with the Department of Political Science at the International Islamic University Malaysia, said of the three PH parties, DAP was the most stable and had the best chances of winning more seats, especially among the Chinese and in urban areas.

“Amanah and PKR won’t be wiped out but may find it difficult to win more seats,” said Lau, adding that PH as a whole must campaign for the next general election with a new narrative to regain voter confidence.

“The narrative in 2018 was fighting corruption and it struck a chord at the time,” he said, in reference to Najib Razak’s 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal.

“But in the recent state elections, PH is just highlighting criticisms of other parties, which isn’t attractive.”

On the other hand, Cheah See Kian, a media and politics commentator in the Chinese-language press, said those calling for Anwar to retire now are not being altogether fair, as he alone cannot be blamed for PH losing federal power nor for the recent state election results.

“In the Sarawak elections, for example, the state was never strong territory for PKR. And in the Sheraton move as another example, PH’s collapse should be blamed on then prime minister Dr Mahathir and (now Bersatu president) Muhyiddin Yassin, not Anwar,” said Cheah.

Anwar, at age 74, is still “young” compared to nonagenarian Dr Mahathir, and is thus still able to lead the opposition in the GE15, he added.

“Anwar should still be given a chance to lead.”

PKR will vote for its national office bearers next month, and the results will be confirmed at the party congress in June. – April 28, 2022.