PKR and the Thucydides Trap: Between Anwar's legacy and Rafizi's reformist surge
A looming leadership shift in PKR is stoking tensions between tradition and transformation, raising questions about the party’s future beyond Anwar Ibrahim
Updated 1 day ago
Published on 22 May 2025 5:32PM
To avoid becoming ensnared in a cycle of factionalism, observers argue PKR must embrace a generational transition rooted in collaboration, not contestation - May 22, 2025
AS Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) edges toward a pivotal internal election, speculation surrounding the deputy presidency contest is drawing national attention.
The race is being cast as a symbolic clash between two visions for the party’s future; one being, the preservation of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s long-standing legacy, and, the other, a renewed push for the ideals of the Reformasi movement.
Political Analysts Mohd Azizi Jaeh and Muhammad Helmi Othman of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia have opined that while Nurul Izzah Anwar, the daughter of the Prime Minister, is widely seen as his political heir, the rising influence of Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli—known for his technocratic rigor and reformist stance—signals an undercurrent of transformation within the party.
Sinar Harian cited today that both analysts saying, the ideological and generational gulf between these two camps reflects more than just a leadership contest; it suggests what some political observers liken to a “Thucydides Trap” within PKR.
This term, originally rooted in international relations, refers to tensions that arise when a rising power threatens to displace an established one.
“In this context, Anwar’s entrenched leadership and his traditional circle is being challenged by Rafizi’s emergence as a force advocating for bold reform,” the political analysts argue.
Anwar, a veteran politician whose roots trace back to Islamic youth movements in the 1970s and a tenure in UMNO before founding PKR in 1999, has cultivated strong ties with religious institutions, political elites and global networks. His leadership style is defined by negotiation, pragmatism and a careful balancing act among Malaysia’s complex power structures.
Rafizi, by contrast, lacks such traditional political roots. Instead, he has built a following through data-driven advocacy, exposés on corruption scandals, and effective use of social media—traits that resonate strongly with Malaysia’s millennial and Gen Z voters.
Rafizi’s push for principled reform and his critique of elitist politics have energised the party’s grassroots base. His calls for transparency and anti-corruption stand in contrast to what he and his supporters see as PKR’s increasingly transactional politics under Anwar’s leadership.
While Rafizi and Nurul Izzah do not confront each other directly, the latter is widely perceived to represent Anwar’s camp in the contest for deputy president. Critics view her candidacy as part of a broader plan to ensure continuity and maintain Anwar’s influence beyond his tenure as party leader and prime minister.
"Whether this is Anwar’s final term or not, the pressure to preserve his legacy is evident," the analysts say. "His preference for gradual, controlled transition is clashing with Rafizi’s calls for immediate structural change."
The contest has exposed not just internal rifts but a deeper existential question for PKR: can the party reconcile its past with a future that demands reinvention?
While Anwar’s historical role in uniting diverse factions—Islamists, leftists, NGOs and ex-UMNO figures—cannot be understated, Rafizi’s confrontational and data-centric approach appeals to a public disillusioned with status-quo politics.
Both Nurul Izzah and Rafizi bring valuable credentials to PKR, the former famously defeated two political heavyweights in the Lembah Pantai constituency, while the latter played a key role in forming the Pakatan Harapan coalition, which in 2018 delivered Malaysia’s first regime change.
Yet the risks are real. Internal divisions, if mismanaged, could result in a repeat of past fissures, such as the 2020 departure of former deputy president Azmin Ali—an episode that cost the party dearly.
To avoid becoming ensnared in a cycle of factionalism, observers argue PKR must embrace a generational transition rooted in collaboration, not contestation.
“The challenge is not merely about who leads next, but whether PKR can transcend old modes of political rivalry and remain a relevant vehicle for reform,” the analysts conclude. “Both legacy and renewal must find a place in its evolving identity,” both Mohd Azizi Jaeh and Muhammad Helmi Othman opine. - May 22, 2025
The views put forward by political analysts Mohd Azizi Jaeh and Muhammad Helmi Othmanare their own.
AS Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) edges toward a pivotal internal election, speculation surrounding the deputy presidency contest is drawing national attention.
The race is being cast as a symbolic clash between two visions for the party’s future; one being, the preservation of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s long-standing legacy, and, the other, a renewed push for the ideals of the Reformasi movement.
Political Analysts Mohd Azizi Jaeh and Muhammad Helmi Othman of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia have opined that while Nurul Izzah Anwar, the daughter of the Prime Minister, is widely seen as his political heir, the rising influence of Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli—known for his technocratic rigor and reformist stance—signals an undercurrent of transformation within the party.
Sinar Harian cited today that both analysts saying, the ideological and generational gulf between these two camps reflects more than just a leadership contest; it suggests what some political observers liken to a “Thucydides Trap” within PKR.
This term, originally rooted in international relations, refers to tensions that arise when a rising power threatens to displace an established one.
“In this context, Anwar’s entrenched leadership and his traditional circle is being challenged by Rafizi’s emergence as a force advocating for bold reform,” the political analysts argue.
Anwar, a veteran politician whose roots trace back to Islamic youth movements in the 1970s and a tenure in UMNO before founding PKR in 1999, has cultivated strong ties with religious institutions, political elites and global networks. His leadership style is defined by negotiation, pragmatism and a careful balancing act among Malaysia’s complex power structures.
Rafizi, by contrast, lacks such traditional political roots. Instead, he has built a following through data-driven advocacy, exposés on corruption scandals, and effective use of social media—traits that resonate strongly with Malaysia’s millennial and Gen Z voters.
Rafizi’s push for principled reform and his critique of elitist politics have energised the party’s grassroots base. His calls for transparency and anti-corruption stand in contrast to what he and his supporters see as PKR’s increasingly transactional politics under Anwar’s leadership.
While Rafizi and Nurul Izzah do not confront each other directly, the latter is widely perceived to represent Anwar’s camp in the contest for deputy president. Critics view her candidacy as part of a broader plan to ensure continuity and maintain Anwar’s influence beyond his tenure as party leader and prime minister.
"Whether this is Anwar’s final term or not, the pressure to preserve his legacy is evident," the analysts say. "His preference for gradual, controlled transition is clashing with Rafizi’s calls for immediate structural change."
The contest has exposed not just internal rifts but a deeper existential question for PKR: can the party reconcile its past with a future that demands reinvention?
While Anwar’s historical role in uniting diverse factions—Islamists, leftists, NGOs and ex-UMNO figures—cannot be understated, Rafizi’s confrontational and data-centric approach appeals to a public disillusioned with status-quo politics.
Both Nurul Izzah and Rafizi bring valuable credentials to PKR, the former famously defeated two political heavyweights in the Lembah Pantai constituency, while the latter played a key role in forming the Pakatan Harapan coalition, which in 2018 delivered Malaysia’s first regime change.
Yet the risks are real. Internal divisions, if mismanaged, could result in a repeat of past fissures, such as the 2020 departure of former deputy president Azmin Ali—an episode that cost the party dearly.
To avoid becoming ensnared in a cycle of factionalism, observers argue PKR must embrace a generational transition rooted in collaboration, not contestation.
“The challenge is not merely about who leads next, but whether PKR can transcend old modes of political rivalry and remain a relevant vehicle for reform,” the analysts conclude. “Both legacy and renewal must find a place in its evolving identity,” both Mohd Azizi Jaeh and Muhammad Helmi Othman opine. - May 22, 2025
The views put forward by political analysts Mohd Azizi Jaeh and Muhammad Helmi Othmanare their own.
There was so much initial excitement when Rafizi was elected PKR Deputy President.
ReplyDeleteRafizi shot his own future with his feeble performance as Minister.
Thucydides Trap doesn't always come to fruition, because some rah-rah predicted Rising Powers end up being washed-out.