KUALA LUMPUR: Zaid Ibrahim's frank articulation of the vulnerability within PKR's leadership has received approving nods from political analysts.
In an earlier interview with FMT, Zaid pinpointed the lack of credible leaders and Anwar Ibrahim's non-presidential role as the primary stumbling blocks in PKR's roadmap forward.
The PKR central leadership council member acknowledged that these aren't new issues but ones that need to be dealt with swiftly during the December party elections.
“Zaid is absolutely right about PKR's painfully weak leadership,” said James Chin of Monash University. “This flaw long existed but only exploded after 2008 when the 'funny characters' who were fielded actually won and created a huge firestorm within the party.”
“PKR's problem has never been about resources but the people running it. Anwar has to decide on the leadership structure and the core leaders, and then give those leaders the power to elect their own people.”
Meanwhile, both Dr Lim Teck Ghee, director of the Centre for Policy Initiatives, and independent political analyst Khoo Kay Peng, shared Zaid's observation that it is time for Anwar to step into the presidency shoes since he is now a full-time politician.
Khoo, however, warned PKR against the temptation of leaning too heavily on Anwar's personality at the risk of seeing its ideology being diluted.
“PKR cannot be a personality-based political party,” he stated. “People are already doubting whether it can still be the glue for Pakatan without Anwar's presence. In fact, PKR has become complacent because of Anwar and is not concerned with securing a second-tier leadership.”
“This is extremely dangerous because if, for some reason, Anwar cannot become the next prime minister, who else can PKR or Pakatan put forth? Voters need the assurance that the strength of the party doesn't hinge solely on an individual no matter how charismatic or inspiring he is.”
Lim added that there is a need not only to formalise Anwar's position as party leader but also to urgently identify other key leaders, especially for the number two position.
“It is a pity that the party election is held not sooner,” he said. “Time is not on the side of PKR, and the perception of a fragmented and divided leadership, even without the damaging defections, is going to cost it dearly in electoral support should the general election come sooner than expected.”
Chin urged PKR to recruit a whole new group of leaders as soon as possible in anticipation of a surprise general election.
“If the next election springs upon us within the next three months, it will be too late for PKR and Pakatan. (Prime Minister) Najib Tun Razak will definitely win back the majority unless there is a big scandal within the Barisan Nasional.”
While Zaid remained optimistic of PKR's ability to turn around, Lim remained cautious in his outlook. He predicted that party members would grapple with the slippery task of engaging in internal cleansing, while simultaneously selecting the most dedicated and able leaders during the upcoming party elections.
“One hopes that the collective wisdom -- and some guidance from respected leaders who have no personal stake in the power game -- can help ensure that the chosen team will comprise the best of PKR's available talent,” he said. “But the fatal link in PKR could be the presence of state-level warlords who may prove difficult to dislodge because of their numbers in terms of support.”
Lessons from the other side
The analysts went one step further than Zaid in suggesting that PKR members look to their party of origin for lessons on building a strong organisation.
“This will be very hard to hear but Umno has mastered the art of erecting a solid structure,” Chin explained. “Its structure is based on delineation of constituency. Two or three divisions fall under the power of one warlord, which is unusual but which works very well during election time. Umno works well simply because these warlords' roles are very distinctive.”
“PKR also has to offer its members more than just hope. DAP and PAS guarantee their members good leadership structure and incentives. Umno, MIC and MCA guarantee their members the power to make real changes. What does PKR offer?”
Khoo recommended that PKR take note of Umno's “definitive and clear professional lines”.
“Everyone knows at all times who will be taking the place of whom,” he said. “These professional lines act as a guide for members and supporters so there are no surprises.”
Democracy: a winning or losing hand?
Where the analysts differed, however, was on the subject of democracy. Both Zaid and Lim favoured the inclusion of democracy in the election process.
“Once the party elections have been held to ensure that democratic norms prevail in the selection of leaders, the elected team needs to get to work immediately to iron out PKR's issues,” said Lim.
Chin, on the other hand, ironically proposed that PKR restrain from practising democracy when approaching the general election.
“PKR suffers from too much democracy,” he pointed out. “Democracy in itself is good and should be the hallmark of the party but not when it is headed towards an election. Then democracy will only cause disruption within the party as we have witnessed time and again.”
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