PKR needs to push leaders to be on par with Anwar Ibrahim

 Tawfik Yaakub says the PKR president remains the party’s greatest political asset, but its over reliance on him has resulted in other party leaders taking a back seat.

Anwar Ibrahim has always been the face of PKR, but analysts said the time has come for younger leaders to also appear in the spotlight.

PETALING JAYA:

PKR has to push its party leaders to develop leaders on par with party president Anwar Ibrahim to meet the challenges ahead, following its lacklustre performance in the last three state elections, an analyst said.

Tawfik Yaakub.

Tawfik Yaakub of Universiti Malaya said Anwar, who is also the prime minister, remains the party’s greatest political “asset”.

However, PKR’s over-reliance on Anwar has resulted in other party leaders taking a back seat, he said.

For this reason, Tawfik said the party should use the PKR congress in Melaka this weekend as an opportunity to call for a shift in direction — from an Anwar-centric approach to a more team-based one.

He said while Anwar could remain PKR’s “pillar”, he should not always be the face of the party.

“When a large chunk of the election narrative revolves around one leader, every state election eventually becomes an easy referendum on the prime minister and the federal government.

“This causes local candidates, state issues and PKR’s second-generation leaders to be overshadowed (during elections),” he told FMT.

Tawfik said PKR needs to develop leaders who are well-versed in the economy, Malay-Muslim issues, governance and institutional reform.

“Voters need to see that PKR has a team capable of governing Malaysia, rather than merely having one strong prime minister.”

The PKR congress this Saturday comes in the wake of Pakatan Harapan’s defeats in the Sabah, Johor and, most recently, Negeri Sembilan state elections, the latest being a state it had governed since 2018.

The congress also comes a week after Nurul Izzah Anwar stepped down as the party’s deputy president to pursue further studies.

Tawfik went on to say that Nurul Izzah’s resignation underscores the need for collective leadership in PKR, with vice-presidents, the secretary-general, state chairmen and wing leaders given clear political roles based on their respective strengths.

“Some should be tasked with strengthening support in Malay-majority seats, while others should oversee urban and youth voters, manage election strategy and serve as policy spokespeople.”

Azmi Hassan.

National Council of Professors fellow Azmi Hassan said PKR did not appear to have anyone on an equal footing with Anwar.

“This raises questions about the party’s ability to inspire voters at a time when it is facing pressure both internally and from its political rivals.”

Azmi also expects the congress to focus on the Melaka state election, particularly on possible cooperation between PH and another party.

“Will they go solo as they did in Johor and Negeri Sembilan, or will they negotiate with other parties?” That is an issue for the delegates to ponder. - FMT