KUALA LUMPUR: THE infighting in PKR, while deemed as normal by some observers, is worrying, especially at a time when Malaysia has laid out plans to improve its economic situation.
The ongoing war between its top two leaders — party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his deputy, Datuk Seri Azmin Ali — could prove detrimental to the ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition’s public image, not to mention the effect it could have on political stability.
Since the previous party election last year, the existence of different camps in PKR has become even clearer as Azmin distances himself from Anwar’s shadow by trying to create his own political identity.
Political analyst Associate Professor Awang Azman Awang Pawi said this was especially telling in the absence of Azmin, who is the economic affairs minister, from party meetings, including those involving the PKR political bureau.
Azmin’s absence persisted despite urgings by Anwar, who is Port Dickson member of parliament, for the former to attend these meetings to explain what was discussed when the latter met 22 opposition lawmakers at his official residence in Putrajaya on Monday.
“The PKR deputy president is proving to all of his detractors that he has influence and that he commands a strong following, that he was brave enough to skip meetings considered as important by the party.
“Although he is risking his political future, Azmin is not afraid to show that he has different views and possesses his own unique political manoeuvres.
“It appears that Azmin is trying to be the new hero in PKR,” Awang Azman of Universiti Malaya said.
PKR’s political bureau meeting in Parliament on Wednesday night was the latest in what is reportedly a long list of absences, despite numerous calls for him to make his presence felt.
However, PKR appears to be holding back on taking any disciplinary action against the party’s No. 2, as evidenced by PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil’s statement to the press after the meeting.
“As far as the political bureau is aware, there is no disciplinary case against Azmin as such a matter does not arise at this point of time,” said Fahmi.
Tensions spiked between Anwar and Azmin following the party’s move to revoke an invitation to the latter to open the PKR Youth National Congress, scheduled on Dec 6.
However, PKR insiders have been quick to dismiss the drama, and said a show of dissent between members, even leaders, was nothing new.
One Sarawak-based PKR leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, said public displays of conflicting views had been a mainstay of the party, even before PKR and its allies came into power following the historic 14th General Election (GE14) last year.
These arguments, he said, merely reflected its members strong belief that all views deserved to be aired for the sake of the greater good.
“These are the principles of democracy that are embraced and espoused in PKR. Having differing views does not mean that it will be detrimental to the party.
“As evident in GE14, despite the arguments, leaders in PKR unite and work for a common goal. We just want what is best for the party and the people and if it means that we share differing opinions in the process, so be it.”
However, experts believe that although such a custom may be deemed business as usual in PKR, it could have a negative effect on how the public perceives the party.
Such public displays of disagreements could lead the people to lose their faith in the party, in which they had hoped for not only stability, but also a strong moral compass.
Awang Azman said internal bickering among PKR leaders might send the wrong signal to the people, who had voted a change in the government for its new leaders to better develop the nation.
“At some point, the people might become frustrated with what they might deem as too much politicking in the party.
“The rakyat voted for a new government because they wanted PH leaders to focus on efforts to improve their wellbeing, not argue among each other.
“Having said that, leaders in PKR, and generally in PH, must remember why the people voted for them — that is for a better Malaysia.”