THE grand coalition with Bersatu is done but for PKR, the worry is that internal division could wreck the electoral chances of the biggest party in Pakatan Harapan (PH)

Although PKR is part of an expanded and stronger opposition, public spats between key leaders within the party have been disconcerting for ordinary members. 

The effects are manifest in the confusion over conflicting information, grassroots leaders say, raising the question whether PKR can defend the seats it won in the previous election if members from different factions cannot work together.

The most prominent rift has been between PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali and vice-president Rafizi Ramli.

Last year, Rafizi lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), alleging graft in the Azmin-led Selangor government. Azmin, who is Selangor menteri besar, denied the accusation and called it a campaign to tarnish his reputation. There is still no outcome to the case.

Though the public trading of barbs has ceased, the frisson of tension is still a source of unease among party members. These divisions were said to be one of the reasons why the PH alliance of PKR, Amanah, DAP and Bersatu was slow to announce its leadership line-up and structure. 

Some grassroots leaders long for the “calming influence” and unifying role that de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim would have played, were he not in prison, while others wished that leaders at odds with each other would focus on their similarities rather than their differences. 

Before Anwar was jailed in 2015 on a second round of sodomy charges, he led the party to contest 99 federal seats in the 2013 GE, winning 28. And in the election prior, in 2008, PKR had reaped 31 federal seats, its largest haul since the party was started in 1999.

‘How to face GE?’

PKR Kedah elections director Ridhwan Razali said the loss of Anwar’s physical presence in the top leadership was a factor in the current divisions.

“Even though Anwar can meet PKR leaders when he is brought to court, it is not enough. It would be different if he was not in jail and was leading the party,” Ridhwan, who is also PKR Kedah Youth chief, told The Malaysian Insight.

“My concern is that what if the polemics between the top leaders drags on until it causes confusion when we want to face GE14?”

Kelana Jaya PKR branch secretary Najwan Halimi said clashes among top leaders has caused confusion at the grassroots level.

“Who do we listen to? Who do we follow? Of course such discord will affect the grassroots.

“Members are confused. There are different instructions. It’s a good thing that the Selangor government is active with its programmes to keep party activists going,” he said.

Najwan added that grassroots members did not want to get involved in the disputes between their leaders, as they realised that their role was to maintain the people’s support for the party. 

“Party leaders at the grassroots must stay consistent in helping the public by implementing Selangor government policies and welfare schemes for the people,” he said.

PKR Kelantan communications director Mohd Sukirman Mustafa said the different views by party leaders sometimes resulted in contradictory information.

“When there is conflicting information or instructions, I have to refer again to the PKR headquarters. If there is a big difference of opinion among the leadership, there will definitely be conflict. I am confident, however, that when the election is here, they will be united,” said Sukirman.

PKR Petaling Jaya vice chief Fazly Razali said the situation made it difficult for members to cooperate as members themselves are followers of certain national leaders.

To ensure the party’s relevance, he stressed that grassroots leaders and members must stay focused on resolving public issues at the daily, domestic level.

“We cannot only tackle the nation’s issues. We need to know what the people want,” said Fazly who is also a Kuala Langat District councillor.

PKR Pahang deputy chairman Ahmad Nizam Abdul Hamid said differences of opinion among the party’s leaders could be better managed.

“A ‘Council of Elders’ made up of the party’s seasoned leaders who are respected by both groups should be set up to manage the differences among PKR leaders,” said Nizam to The Malaysian Insight.

He said the leaders who disagree with one another probably have more in common than they realise, since PKR, which was founded as KeAdilan in 1999, was committed to reform.

“What’s disappointing is that the differences are minimal as compared to the similarities,” Nizam said.

Differences mean democracy is alive

PKR strategy director Sim Tze Tzin said differences of opinion were normal in a democracy and this did not mean the party was split.

“We are not like Umno, where whatever (Umno president) Najib Razak says, everyone will follow,” the Bayan Baru MP told the Malaysian Insight.

The public disagreement is also part of a learning process for PKR’s leaders, he added.

“This is part and parcel of becoming matured politicians. They have to learn to from their mistakes. There are times when fights are taken into the open, but we learn from all of this.”

As to the differences between key personalities like Azmin and Rafizi, Sim said each person must be recognised for their strengths.

“Azmin has his strengths when it comes to Malay issues, palace relations, administering the state, ties with civil servants and issues in the rural areas. 

“Rafizi has his intellect, strong support among the middle class and the ability to understand problems.”

As to accusations that pressure groups started by PKR leaders were a move to split the party, Sim said it was a strategy to increase public support.

“Nurul Izzah (Anwar) has her own NGO called Change Makers, while Rafizi has Invoke. Each (group) plays a role. It’s not a case of a ‘party within a party’,” said Sim, responding to PKR’s Wangsa Maju Dr Tan Kee Kwong who recently accused Rafizi of trying to split the party with Invoke. – July 22, 2017.