Rafizi Ramli has predicted that PKR risks dying out after the Anwar Ibrahim era due to the party’s bureaucracy and its failure to reinvent itself.
The former PKR deputy president, who now leads Parti Bersama Malaysia, said PKR’s focus on ensuring that Anwar gets a second term as prime minister after the 16th general election was also becoming its weakness.
“PKR’s entire focus is to ensure that Anwar becomes prime minister for a second term,” Rafizi told reporters after the second leg of the Kancil Tour in Ayer Keroh, Malacca, last night.
More than 300 people, including former PKR members, attended the tour.
“If you look at the next layer of leadership, in my view as a former party deputy president and now a rival, there is a major contrast, for example, between Bersama and PKR,” Rafizi said.
Elaborating, Rafizi claimed that PKR has been forced to rely on its veteran leaders due to the absence of a clear succession plan capable of attracting younger voters - citing the recent appointments of several senior party figures to key positions.
“PKR was forced to reappoint the old guard. Most recently, Dr Zaliha (Mustafa) and Saifuddin (Nasution Ismail) were appointed as vice-presidents.
“And when the narrative and strategy revolve solely around Anwar, the risk becomes significant if, for example, he does not become prime minister after this.
“If Anwar has to continue leading PKR because the vacuum cannot be filled, then the party’s offer to voters becomes weaker than that of its competitors,” the former Pandan MP said.
Risky undertaking
According to Rafizi, a strategy that places the party’s entire future in Anwar securing a second term as premier is politically risky because such a tenure is inherently time-limited.
“There is no reform. Previously, the offer to the people was that we wanted to see Anwar become prime minister. Now he is the prime minister, what’s next?
“Strategically, a narrative that places 100 percent of PKR’s future on Anwar becoming prime minister for a second term is highly risky.
“If they win, fine. However, that is only a one-term lifeline extension, and after that, he can no longer continue. What will happen after that?” Rafizi asked.
Rafizi pointed out that the future of any political party depends on its ability to connect with new voters, particularly the younger generation.
Struggling to attract youths
He also claimed that PKR’s internal structure has become rigid, limiting opportunities for emerging leaders to shine.
“I believe the future of any party, not just PKR, depends on how strongly it can attract Gen Z. That is the challenge for everyone. PKR has to compete with other parties that are more aggressive in attracting Gen Z and millennials.
“Based on our previous experience with PKR, I think the party will struggle to attract Gen Z and millennials because its entire structure has become so bureaucratic and layered, and its political culture makes it difficult for young people to move up,” he said.
In contrast, Rafizi said Bersama was established specifically to nurture and promote young leaders as part of its preparations for future elections.
Rafizi and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad quit as ministers last year after losing their party positions in the PKR polls.
The duo announced their departure from PKR and took over Bersama on May 17. They also quit as parliamentarians a day later. - FMT
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