PH needs new strategy and more inclusive alliances, says Tian Chua
5 hours ago
Minderjeet Kaur
The former MP also says PKR must establish itself as a movement that could survive beyond the present government and its president, Anwar Ibrahim
Tian Chua, one of PKR’s founding leaders, said there are many movements and parties which share the ideal of an inclusive Malaysia.
PETALING JAYA: Tian Chua, one of PKR’s founding leaders, has called for Pakatan Harapan to forge a new political strategy and new alliances that are more inclusive than the current three-party model.
The current structure, which comprises PKR, DAP and Amanah, is “outdated”, he said in an interview with FMT.
The former Batu MP who was recently invited to rejoin PKR after being sacked in 2023 said new alliances could include political parties, movements and people who shared the vision of an inclusive Malaysia.
Tian Chua said many movements and parties share this ideal. It did not matter if these parties or organisations were not huge outfits or did not have many members, because “their vision is what matters.”
“We have to find ways to accommodate them and synchronise our efforts with them,” he said.
Tian Chua acknowledged, however, that political parties ultimately had to contest in elections and field candidates, but said these were merely “technical considerations”. Seat distribution was secondary as candidate selection should be based on merit and ability to attract votes.’
Beyond Anwar
Tian Chua further said PKR must also establish itself as a movement that could survive beyond the present government and its president, Anwar Ibrahim.
“The party’s objective cannot purely be to remain in power for the next (electoral) term and then find new leaders just to remain in power after that,” he said.
“The main thing is that we have to create a party with idealism and principles,” he said, adding that the party must build ”bottom up” by rebuilding the grassroots, reconnecting with communities and making supporters feel like the movement belonged to the people.
He said PKR’s experience in government should be a “cumulative skill” that helps it become a better ruling party.
A similar call for PKR to start cultivating a new generation of leaders was made by PKR vice-president Dr Zaliha Mustafa last week. She said the party must build up leaders capable of continuing with the reform agenda and leading the country in the post-Anwar era.
PKR should not wait until Anwar decides to step down as party president before looking for a successor, she said.
The current structure, which comprises PKR, DAP and Amanah, is “outdated”, he said in an interview with FMT.
The former Batu MP who was recently invited to rejoin PKR after being sacked in 2023 said new alliances could include political parties, movements and people who shared the vision of an inclusive Malaysia.
Tian Chua said many movements and parties share this ideal. It did not matter if these parties or organisations were not huge outfits or did not have many members, because “their vision is what matters.”
“We have to find ways to accommodate them and synchronise our efforts with them,” he said.
Tian Chua acknowledged, however, that political parties ultimately had to contest in elections and field candidates, but said these were merely “technical considerations”. Seat distribution was secondary as candidate selection should be based on merit and ability to attract votes.’
Beyond Anwar
Tian Chua further said PKR must also establish itself as a movement that could survive beyond the present government and its president, Anwar Ibrahim.
“The party’s objective cannot purely be to remain in power for the next (electoral) term and then find new leaders just to remain in power after that,” he said.
“The main thing is that we have to create a party with idealism and principles,” he said, adding that the party must build ”bottom up” by rebuilding the grassroots, reconnecting with communities and making supporters feel like the movement belonged to the people.
He said PKR’s experience in government should be a “cumulative skill” that helps it become a better ruling party.
A similar call for PKR to start cultivating a new generation of leaders was made by PKR vice-president Dr Zaliha Mustafa last week. She said the party must build up leaders capable of continuing with the reform agenda and leading the country in the post-Anwar era.
PKR should not wait until Anwar decides to step down as party president before looking for a successor, she said.
