PKR is doomed to repeat BN’s past mistakes if it fails to recognise the validity of criticisms levelled at the government, research officer Seah Jhen Pei said.
Seah (above), who works for Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung, said this in response to PKR deputy secretary-general Bryan Ng's dismissal of Lee's concerns that Petaling Jaya is no longer a safe seat for Pakatan Harapan.
She reminded PKR that voters would not hesitate to withdraw the mandate they had given to the party should they deem it had not fulfilled its pledges.
"The people of Petaling Jaya and Malaysia are assessing whether the government of today is truly fulfilling its promises or is simply 'playing politics' to maintain power," she said in a statement today.
In a recent interview with Malaysiakini’s Chinese-language podcast, Lee said that despite being a highly urbanised constituency in Selangor, Petaling Jaya can no longer be regarded as a safe seat for PKR.
He cited controversies involving the MACC and its outgoing chief commissioner, Azam Baki, including recent investigations of former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli and his former aide, James Chai, to back his assessment.
However, Lee’s remarks drew brickbats from Ng, who said that the PKR MP’s concerns reflected his own alleged shortcomings and poor performance as a lawmaker, adding that Petaling Jaya remains a party stronghold.
If Lee were to lose the seat in the next general election, Ng said the former should "reflect" and take responsibility for the "disastrous outcome".
Feedback from voters
Defending Lee’s assessment, Seah said the former’s remarks had come from an analysis of feedback gathered from voters.
Seah also said that PKR and Harapan supporters are rational voters who prioritise reforms but are getting disillusioned by the lack of action to implement them.
"If a representative dares to voice the real concerns shared by the people, their input should be used as a basis for reflection and not as a target for attack.
"After three years in Putrajaya, many supporters are disappointed to see PKR actively court Perikatan Nasional's supporters to the point of ignoring the multiracial principles and reform agenda that have been the backbone of the party since the reformasi era," she added.
Citing examples, Seah said PKR’s failure to protect freedom of speech and press freedom has led to PKR's voter base feeling increasingly marginalised.
As such, she called for criticisms to be directed at government leaders who fail to listen to voters instead of criticising Lee, who had merely relayed sentiments from the ground.
"After more than three years of the Madani government in power, the dynamics of the people's support have changed.
"Failure to understand this shift will invite great risks to the party's future," she warned.
On May 5, Malaysiakini published an exclusive report on PKR’s internal strategic analysis, which identified 66 parliamentary seats the party plans to contest in the upcoming election.
Of the number, only seven parliamentary seats were classified as "Tier 1" or safe seats, with Petaling Jaya being in the list.
PKR president Anwar Ibrahim’s Tambun seat comes under “Tier 2B”, which is categorised as marginal. - Mkini
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