PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Harapan is likely to retain control of Selangor in the next general election, despite cracks in Selangor PKR and the exodus of those aligned to Azmin Ali, says an analyst.
James Chin of University of Tasmania’s Asia Institute said PKR had never been able to find its footing after the departure of Azmin, then deputy president, and several senior leaders to join forces with Perikatan Nasional.
He said Azmin was able to control Selangor PKR. “That’s why there wasn’t much noise coming out of Selangor PKR when Azmin was in charge.” However, disputes have arisen in the state chapter recently.
Despite the squabbles, he said, PKR has a “very good chance” to retain Selangor, a highly urbanised state, where the party has strong support.
But he said PKR must get its act together quickly as voters would not like to vote for a disunited party where leaders are “undermining each other”.
In the past year, Selangor PKR Youth chief Najwan Halimi was among five youth leaders who were sacked from their posts, leading to him trading barbs with the wing’s chief, Akmal Nasir.
More recently, Perak PKR chief Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak caused a stir when he announced his intention to take on Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari for the Gombak PKR division chief’s post in the party elections in April.
Amirudin had previously been linked to Azmin, while Farhash is a former aide to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.
Universiti Malaya socio-political analyst Awang Azman Pawi said he does not believe Farhash’s move would affect Selangor PKR as the party is entrenched in the state.
“PKR is still the choice of the people of Selangor because of the image of a multiracial party, seen as more open to young people participating in politics and is open in political discourse,” he said.
“This means they are resolving matters democratically through party elections, which is the best move compared to being two-faced and being hypocrites.” - FMT
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