PKR must again raise the torch for PR

By admin-s On Apr 2, 2015

Given the tension between PAS and DAP, it is Anwar’s party that has to pick up his burden.

Scott Ng, FMT

It appears all avenues have been exhausted in the battle to see opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim set free from his imprisonment. After spending more than half a decade in prison and making an inspiring Rocky Balboa-esque return to the top of the political hill, and then spending years building the strongest opposition so far seen in Malaysia, it seems very much like the political career of this extraordinary man has come to rest.

I think most of us saw the denial of his application for a royal pardon coming. While it is hard to let go of the hope we had for the future of Malaysia, we must now look to PKR and Pakatan Rakyat to come forth with a new face to lead the opposition in these trying times.

PKR in particular must step up in the absence of Anwar. In many ways, Anwar and PKR were the linchpins of the opposition, and the party has been in a state of disarray since he disappeared behind the doors of Sungai Buloh prison. Now that its last hope for Anwar’s freedom is gone, the party must once again step up as there are many issues that need a strong leader to address.

I think I’ve been clear on my preference for Nurul Izzah to lead PKR and, eventually, the opposition. Young, dynamic, and smart, she is Prime Minister material, and her popularity, especially among the youth, would galvanise the party into moving in a new, bold direction.

Of course, at the other end of the table sits Azmin Ali, current Menteri Besar of Selangor. Azmin too seems to be stepping up to the plate recently, making statements to the media in a unilateral fashion that makes one believe he is in charge of PKR right now. Azmin is something of a controversial figure given his role in the ouster of previous MB Khalid Ibrahim, and it is well known that Izzah and her mother, PKR President Wan Azizah Ismail, do not get along well with his faction within PKR.

That being said, Azmin is a veteran politician well versed in the game, and a case can be made that he is the leader PKR needs right now.

It is imperative that PKR sit down and tackle this difficult issue as soon as possible, as its next leader will be seen as Anwar’s successor. The new leader will go on to take a crucial role in the leadership of Pakatan Rakyat, now in desperate need of a strong figurehead.

The new PKR leader must have a talent for mediation and negotiation given the palpable tension between component parties PAS and DAP, who appear on the verge of breaking the coalition apart. As it is, DAP in Sarawak has excommunicated the PAS branch in that state, and the conflict looks set to get even uglier as both sides refuse to back down on the issue of hudud.