Harapan defeat a referendum on Anwar's leadership

 

Pakatan Harapan's defeat in Malacca, which includes a total wipeout for PKR, is a clear referendum on Anwar Ibrahim's leadership.

The opposition chief has shown time and again that he is willing to make questionable decisions in order to gain the upper hand in his quest for a "strong, formidable majority".

Worse yet, Anwar justifies actions such as taking in "frogs" by saying it is to return the people's mandate.

If the PKR president will not listen to critics in his own party and coalition, then he must listen to the voters.

PKR lost all 11 seats it contested, ceding three seats it won in 2018 namely Machap Jaya, Kelebang, and Rembia.

In Asahan, where Anwar's prized new recruit Idris Haron was fielded, PKR was soundly defeated, losing by 2,993 votes against BN.

Idris' masterminding of defections had triggered the snap election.

Former Malacca chief minister Idris Haron

It was a move that Idris had discussed with Harapan beforehand.

DAP and others in PKR and Harapan had voiced strong objections to PKR taking in Idris (as well as Amanah fielding fellow Umno frog Nor Azman Hassan, who also lost), but such opposition fell on deaf ears.

Voters did not buy his argument

Despite being the paramount leader of PKR and Harapan, he did not put his foot down and say no to party hopping and take a principled stand.

Instead, Anwar had justified the move by trying to paint Idris and his cadres as heroes who wanted to restore Harapan's hold on Malacca.

It is clear from the results that voters did not buy this argument.

It can be argued that PKR and Harapan put up a strong fight in many seats and were defeated by slim majorities.

However, those small gaps could not be overcome due in part to voters not showing up at all.

Voter turnout was 65.85 percent, lower than the Sabah election last year.

Whether it was fear of Covid-19, political fatigue, or dissatisfaction with Harapan, it is clear that pulling a move that resulted in a snap election backfired terribly on Anwar and Harapan.

And as the paramount leader, Anwar must take responsibility for the coalition's defeat in the Malacca polls.

Whether he steps down or smartens up, something must be done if Anwar and Harapan want any real chance in the 15th general election. - Mkini

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ZIKRI KAMARULZAMAN is a member of Malaysiakini Team.