Mockery of PKR & Zaid Ibrahim
Khoo Kay Peng
PKR has failed to achieve what it set out to do by conducting direct party elections. It had wanted to expand democratic space within the party and curb political corruption by allowing members to vote directly for their leadership.
Second, the party had intended to promote a new political paradigm to Malaysians. Sadly, it has failed on both accounts.
First, there is a low turnout of voters which exposed a serious lack of grassroots awareness of what the party is trying to promote. Second, any systemic change requires the right mindset or the right leadership to do it. Positive change cannot be achieved if leaders within the political party is more interested in position and power.
Whatever the reason, the perception given to the public is PKR is full of leaders who are only keen to grab power and position for themselves. The quarrels and squabbles are not going to set PKR apart from any component parties in the old regime.
PKR cannot make a convincing sale pitch of a new political dawn and a new hope for Malaysia to us if it cannot even get its house in order. There are many role models of leaders who had made costly sacrifice for their people but PKR leaders are just not among them. It appears that PKR is more interested to grab power than to serve the people.
Zaid is another disappointment. Talking about fairness, he was given so many key positions in the party despite joining it only in 2009. Is it fair to many other capable leaders in PKR whom may have contributed to the party earlier than him?
Zaid should have focused on his role as the coordinator for Pakatan Rakyat and not burdening himself with a deputy president position. If Zaid wants to leave a lasting impression of his legacy on Malaysian politics, he should have taken his role as a coordinator seriously and work hard to establish a real alternative to the Barisan Nasional.
This role is far more important than a deputy president of PKR. Zaid could work hard to persuade other forces in both Peninsula and Sabah & Sarawak to join his newly minted coalition. It is a fact that without a solid, integrated and cohesive coalition, Pakatan cannot hope for their path to Putrajaya to be laid with roses and breeze.
