PETALING JAYA: The sixth national PKR congress today will be an affirmation of solidarity even as rival Barisan Nasional (BN) continues to cast its insidious shadow over the party.
The slew of BN-fingered defections have, in truth, deeply dented the 12-year-old party’s credibility, especially the betrayal of de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim’s trusted lieutenants Salehuddin Hashim (former party secretary-general), Zulkifily Nordin (Kulim Bandar Baru MP) and Zahrain Hasim ( Bayan Baru MP).
All three and more claim to have been privy to Anwar’s innermost thoughts and have had field-days revealing their insight and PKR strategies to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.
The gathering in Kota Baru, which begins today, is seen as an opportunity to come clean on several of these issues, including the electoral defeat in Hulu Selangor and the triumph in Sibu.
It will attempt to reassure disillusioned members and re-ignite the fire of “reformasi” and patriotism, which fuelled PKR’s dramatic growth following the unprecedented 2008 political wave.
The Pakatan Rakyat coalition – to which PKR is a partner – wrested five states from the ruling BN regime.
The humiliation of defeat, more so at the hands of Umno nemesis, Anwar, has since whipped BN into waging a no-holds-barred war lending credence to the adage “all's fair in love and war”.
Bearing this in mind, Kota Baru is probably the safest place for PKR to hold its national gathering.
Here, the likelihood of BN stooges in the civil service, hotel, convention centre and transport hub undermining PKR’s every move is minimalised.
This is PAS fortress, which the BN has been unable to breach for more than 20 years.
This will also be the platform to reiterate PKR’s commitment to its Pakatan partners – DAP and PAS – and its shaky alliances in Sabah and Sarawak.
Troublesome third sibling
Next to its big bold brothers, PKR is a troublesome third sibling in the Pakatan coalition.
It is constantly in trouble and a target of BN’s tireless attempt to break the filial bond within the coalition.
But DAP and PAS are unfazed and have reiterated their commitment to PKR and the Pakatan agenda.
The three-day congress will see 1,500 delegates – from the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak – and over 1,000 observers in attendance.
The Women and Youth conventions, to be held simultaneously today, was officiated last night by deputy PKR president Syed Husin Ali, while the national convention on Saturday will be opened by PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
According to PKR’s youth wing chief Shamsul Iskandar Akin, they will be putting forth some constructive criticism targeted at the leadership.
It will address several defects in the Pakatan policy which was detailed during its conventions on Dec 19 in Selangor.
The Women’s wing is taking a firm stand on the immediate need for a structured action plan to consolidate the administration of the party in readiness for the 13th general election.
Women’s chief Zuraidah Kamaruddin said the wing’s thrust would be on discipline in view of the defections and sacking of errant members from the party.
The main event, the PKR national congress, on Saturday will be graced by top Pakatan leaders - Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guang Eng and DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang.
The same night will see a series of ceramah by the same leaders
On Sunday, Anwar is scheduled to close the convention with a biting reminder that "reformasi" is very much alive!
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