Even PJ no longer safe seat, PKR MP paints grim picture for Harapan
Lee Way Loon
"Whether on the ground or based on the latest feedback we've received, PJ is no longer safe for PKR.
"PJ has the most progressive and highly urbanised voters, as well as many swing, centrist and pragmatic voters who want us to focus on national issues and policies.
"They have high expectations and are deeply passionate about reform. Under those circumstances, it would not be suitable to categorise PJ as a safe seat," he said.
‘Supporters are disappointed’
Lee said Pakatan Harapan voters are now generally disappointed, with many feeling that the ruling coalition and PKR have begun taking their support for granted.
He added that since taking federal power in 2022, both Harapan and PKR have repeatedly undermined the reformist enthusiasm of their supporters through actions that contradicted their own reform promises.
He pointed out that even setting aside identity politics, the coalition has failed to take a firm stand on universal values such as integrity and anti-corruption.
As an example, Lee said many Harapan and PKR supporters - especially among the urban middle class - remain deeply unhappy over controversies surrounding the MACC and its outgoing chief commissioner Azam Baki.
Published: May 10, 2026 3:00 PM
Updated: 5:00 PM
A PKR lawmaker has warned that the party's situation may be even worse than suggested in a leaked internal analysis showing it has only seven safe parliamentary seats ahead of the next general election.
According to Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung, even his constituency - a highly urbanised seat in Selangor - can no longer be considered safe.
This is despite the leaked internal analysis classifying it as a "Tier 1" (strong/safe) seat.
He even warned that PKR could be heading toward a near-repeat of its disastrous 2004 election performance, when the party was reduced to just a single parliamentary seat.
"The situation is actually more severe... In 2004, we were almost wiped out. Under the current circumstances, I believe we are getting close to 2004," he said, in reference to BN scoring a huge mandate under the late former premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, leaving the opposition with a combined 20 seats in total.
Lee, who is also a PKR central leadership council member, said this during a Malaysiakini Chinese-language podcast, which was aired on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts on Friday.
Leaked internal analysis
The PKR MP confirmed that he had also been invited to attend the party's internal event on May 2, where the analysis was revealed, but was unable to make it due to prior commitments.
In an exclusive report published on May 5, Malaysiakini reported that PKR's internal strategic analysis identified 66 parliamentary seats the party plans to contest in the upcoming election.
Only seven out of the 66 parliamentary seats were classified as "Tier 1" safe seats. There were 13 categorised as "Tier 2A" (leaning strong), 17 "Tier 2B" (marginal/competitive), and 29 "Tier 3" (difficult/recovery).
Among the "Tier 2B" marginal seats was Tambun, held by Prime Minister and party president Anwar Ibrahim.
Asked about the classification of his constituency as a "Tier 1", Lee disagreed, saying it felt "a little like living in a parallel universe".
Updated: 5:00 PM
A PKR lawmaker has warned that the party's situation may be even worse than suggested in a leaked internal analysis showing it has only seven safe parliamentary seats ahead of the next general election.
According to Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung, even his constituency - a highly urbanised seat in Selangor - can no longer be considered safe.
This is despite the leaked internal analysis classifying it as a "Tier 1" (strong/safe) seat.
He even warned that PKR could be heading toward a near-repeat of its disastrous 2004 election performance, when the party was reduced to just a single parliamentary seat.
"The situation is actually more severe... In 2004, we were almost wiped out. Under the current circumstances, I believe we are getting close to 2004," he said, in reference to BN scoring a huge mandate under the late former premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, leaving the opposition with a combined 20 seats in total.
Lee, who is also a PKR central leadership council member, said this during a Malaysiakini Chinese-language podcast, which was aired on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts on Friday.
Leaked internal analysis
The PKR MP confirmed that he had also been invited to attend the party's internal event on May 2, where the analysis was revealed, but was unable to make it due to prior commitments.
In an exclusive report published on May 5, Malaysiakini reported that PKR's internal strategic analysis identified 66 parliamentary seats the party plans to contest in the upcoming election.
Only seven out of the 66 parliamentary seats were classified as "Tier 1" safe seats. There were 13 categorised as "Tier 2A" (leaning strong), 17 "Tier 2B" (marginal/competitive), and 29 "Tier 3" (difficult/recovery).
Among the "Tier 2B" marginal seats was Tambun, held by Prime Minister and party president Anwar Ibrahim.
Asked about the classification of his constituency as a "Tier 1", Lee disagreed, saying it felt "a little like living in a parallel universe".
"Whether on the ground or based on the latest feedback we've received, PJ is no longer safe for PKR.
"PJ has the most progressive and highly urbanised voters, as well as many swing, centrist and pragmatic voters who want us to focus on national issues and policies.
"They have high expectations and are deeply passionate about reform. Under those circumstances, it would not be suitable to categorise PJ as a safe seat," he said.
‘Supporters are disappointed’
Lee said Pakatan Harapan voters are now generally disappointed, with many feeling that the ruling coalition and PKR have begun taking their support for granted.
He added that since taking federal power in 2022, both Harapan and PKR have repeatedly undermined the reformist enthusiasm of their supporters through actions that contradicted their own reform promises.
He pointed out that even setting aside identity politics, the coalition has failed to take a firm stand on universal values such as integrity and anti-corruption.
As an example, Lee said many Harapan and PKR supporters - especially among the urban middle class - remain deeply unhappy over controversies surrounding the MACC and its outgoing chief commissioner Azam Baki.
Protesters at the Tangkap Azam Baki rally last month
He also said recent investigations targeting former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli and his former aide James Chai carried the appearance of political retaliation.
"This leaves many voters and supporters feeling deeply uneasy. It's unbelievable. Even during our more difficult years in opposition, we could never have imagined something like this happening.
"We were supposed to change and dismantle this kind of system, to build a new one that is fairer and more professional. Yet now these things are happening to our own comrades," said the first-term MP.
Lee pointed out that PKR's core support base has always been centrist voters in urban and mixed constituencies because the party positions itself as a progressive, moderate and multiracial reform party.
He warned that if the party loses its core supporters and traditional base, the consequences will be "very frightening".
"Keeping promises is a very basic and reasonable expectation. Voters support you because of what you promised - not because of religion, race or other forms of identity politics," he said.
The kopitiam benchmark
Lee cited the controversial Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link (PJD Link) highway project as another example, saying Harapan and PKR had initially taken a firm stand against it, only to waver after coming into government.
He also said recent investigations targeting former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli and his former aide James Chai carried the appearance of political retaliation.
"This leaves many voters and supporters feeling deeply uneasy. It's unbelievable. Even during our more difficult years in opposition, we could never have imagined something like this happening.
"We were supposed to change and dismantle this kind of system, to build a new one that is fairer and more professional. Yet now these things are happening to our own comrades," said the first-term MP.
Lee pointed out that PKR's core support base has always been centrist voters in urban and mixed constituencies because the party positions itself as a progressive, moderate and multiracial reform party.
He warned that if the party loses its core supporters and traditional base, the consequences will be "very frightening".
"Keeping promises is a very basic and reasonable expectation. Voters support you because of what you promised - not because of religion, race or other forms of identity politics," he said.
The kopitiam benchmark
Lee cited the controversial Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link (PJD Link) highway project as another example, saying Harapan and PKR had initially taken a firm stand against it, only to waver after coming into government.
Kinrara residents protest the PJD Link circa 2024
"At the time, I conducted a survey. I believe this issue was never just about toll highways or traffic congestion - it was fundamentally about integrity.
"The survey showed that if we broke our promises, 25 percent of voters would switch sides. If we apply to PJ, that would mean I would receive fewer votes than Perikatan Nasional.
"And this is PJ, not a semi-rural constituency like Tanjung Malim or some more remote area. So voters care about whether you keep your promises. Even if you can't fully deliver, did you genuinely try? That matters to them. You can't just brush things aside with empty rhetoric," he lamented.
Despite the gloomy survey results, Lee said he was not personally worried and was still "sleeping very well" because his political compass is defined by whether he has upheld his principles.
"At the time, I conducted a survey. I believe this issue was never just about toll highways or traffic congestion - it was fundamentally about integrity.
"The survey showed that if we broke our promises, 25 percent of voters would switch sides. If we apply to PJ, that would mean I would receive fewer votes than Perikatan Nasional.
"And this is PJ, not a semi-rural constituency like Tanjung Malim or some more remote area. So voters care about whether you keep your promises. Even if you can't fully deliver, did you genuinely try? That matters to them. You can't just brush things aside with empty rhetoric," he lamented.
Despite the gloomy survey results, Lee said he was not personally worried and was still "sleeping very well" because his political compass is defined by whether he has upheld his principles.
PJ MP Lee Chean Chung at the Tangkap Azam Baki rally in April
"My personal political benchmark is simple: no matter what happens in the future, when I go to a kopitiam (coffee shop), people are still be willing to sit down for a drink with me, buy me a drink or let me buy them one.
"I've heard that many (Harapan) YBs nowadays no longer dare to go to kopitiam. Some prefer drinking in hotels instead - looking increasingly like the very people we once opposed.
"I still prefer going to kopitiam. I feel more at ease there, and the food is better too," he quipped.
"My personal political benchmark is simple: no matter what happens in the future, when I go to a kopitiam (coffee shop), people are still be willing to sit down for a drink with me, buy me a drink or let me buy them one.
"I've heard that many (Harapan) YBs nowadays no longer dare to go to kopitiam. Some prefer drinking in hotels instead - looking increasingly like the very people we once opposed.
"I still prefer going to kopitiam. I feel more at ease there, and the food is better too," he quipped.
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