He noted that PKR, which shot to prominence two years ago, needed constant consultation with its grassroots and various divisions to steer the party forward or risked going into "bankruptcy". The analyst added that PKR must raise the bar for its state and national leaders contesting in the next general election and should make good use of time to take stock.
By Yong Min Wei, The Edge
PKR must leverage on multiracialism and undergo a minor makeover of its political message to stay in the hunt for Putrajaya with its other Pakatan Rakyat (PR) partners in the next general election.
Political analyst Dr Ooi Kee Beng said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's party could not stand as an "anti-Umno" symbol or "lightning rod for the dissatisfied" if it were serious about winning the hearts of voters nationwide.
"Multiracialism, justice and welfare are several key areas which PKR needs to look at in spreading its message to the rakyat. PKR has the multiracial appeal and is not laden with a lot of history," he told The Edge Financial Daily on Monday, April 26.
According to Ooi, the opposition party could not merely dwell on issues of corruption and abuse of power and question the credibility of Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders to gain long-term support. He noted that PKR could only push its reform agenda by first consolidating itself and drawing in those who are loyal to its cause.
He said PKR made massive inroads in the last general election despite being a young party and as such was bound to face challenges concerning its ideology and power structure. He pointed out that a host of veteran politicians in the party subscribed to the "old concept of politics".
"It was still a very loose party after March 8 (2008). I consider the last general election more of a defeat of BN than a win for PKR, as the opposition won many seats because of fence-sitters who took their side," said Ooi, a fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS).
The political analyst opined that a lack of dynamism in BN following the last general election allowed PKR and its partners in PR the liberty "to punch way above" its class before the opposition pact could stabilise. He said that BN has managed to hold its position together now under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
"There is more foam than beer in the glass for PKR... A lot of the failures it has experienced lately is not so much of its doing," said Ooi. The opposition party's chances of claiming Putrajaya, he said, would depend on how well it got its house in order.
On the Hulu Selangor by-election, he said PKR had put in a commendable performance, losing by only 1,725 votes in a mixed parliamentary seat and against a strong BN machinery. He said that the party would need to press the panic button if the ruling coalition had scored a landslide victory.
Since the last general election, political observers have commended PKR for its role in bridging the gap between DAP and PAS to form PR. Nevertheless, cracks in PKR have caused minor rifts in the pact, though PKR leaders were quick to call it a "cleansing process" that would weed out those with wavering loyalties.
Nine elected representatives have quit PKR since the beginning of last year, citing a loss of confidence in its leadership as their main reason. Of the nine, four are MPs from the constituencies of Bayan Baru, Nibong Tebal, Bagan Serai and Kulim Bandar Baharu while the others are state assembly members representing Changkat Jering, Behrang, Lunas, Port Klang and Bakar Arang.
PKR has also been facing scores of divisional and branch leaders announcing their resignation from the party of late, although on the same note, there have been reports that the party has also been successful in recruiting dozens of young members and professionals.
Another political analyst said PKR must be able to administer Selangor, the richest state, under its "reform agenda", as a model of its federal government, should the party secure Putrajaya in the 13th general election.
He pointed out that the stakes in Selangor were high as Anwar was the state economic adviser while Najib was Selangor BN chairman and Umno Selangor liaison chief. All eyes were on PKR to "walk the talk" and introduce "people-friendly" measures, he said.
"PKR must soon settle down, curb its internal politicking and stop the mud slinging... It should learn from the defunct (Parti Melayu) Semangat 46 not to take for granted when party members start to quit," said the political analyst who declined to be named.
He noted that PKR, which shot to prominence two years ago, needed constant consultation with its grassroots and various divisions to steer the party forward or risked going into "bankruptcy". The analyst added that PKR must raise the bar for its state and national leaders contesting in the next general election and should make good use of time to take stock.
No comments:
Post a Comment