PKR likely to field big guns against 'pengkhianat', says Anwar
INTERVIEW | When the 2018 general election results came out, PKR emerged as the largest party in the winning Pakatan Harapan coalition and its jailed president Anwar Ibrahim was the prime minister-designate.
However, it was Dr Mahathir Mohamad who helmed the Harapan government for almost two years. A succession plan which would have seen Anwar replace him was thwarted when Mahathir tried to form a unity government and then unilaterally resigned in 2020.
Defectors from Anwar’s own party also helped plunge Malaysia into further political chaos, an episode now regarded as the Sheraton Move.
Anwar (above), the PKR president, told Malaysiakini in an exclusive interview, he does not want to be trapped in bitter memories of the past. However, his party is also planning to exact some revenge on those whom he termed as “pengkhianat” (traitors).
“We should not be beholden to the past. We (the Harapan government) had our successes, but there were also failures.
“The fact is, on judicial independence, selective prosecution and also the role of the attorney-general, there were questionable situations and some criticisms (against) some people in Harapan.
“But we should move on. To my mind, we are basing (our struggle) on core fundamental principles and values like justice,” he said.
Gombak MP Azmin Ali
Anwar said PKR has been receiving good feedback from voters in recent roadshow events even in contentious areas like Gombak in Selangor, where former PKR deputy president Azmin Ali is still the incumbent MP.
“We can’t blame the general public for being critical, cynical or disillusioned with the Sheraton Move. We have to tell them that the culprit should be punished.
“I am very pleased. For the past few months, particularly after (PKR events in) Gombak, Kuala Pilah and Port Dickson, and (PKR deputy president) Rafizi (Ramli)’s programme in Johor, you can see the enthusiasm and excitement,” he said.
Battles ahead
Anwar said the party is seriously considering which of its big guns to field against the defectors, who also include Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin (Ampang), Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah (Indera Mahkota), and Edmund Santhara Kumar Ramanaidu (Segamat).
His long-time nemesis Mahathir still hasn’t left the political arena and is now putting together an all-Malay alliance.
Anwar said PKR has been receiving good feedback from voters in recent roadshow events even in contentious areas like Gombak in Selangor, where former PKR deputy president Azmin Ali is still the incumbent MP.
“We can’t blame the general public for being critical, cynical or disillusioned with the Sheraton Move. We have to tell them that the culprit should be punished.
“I am very pleased. For the past few months, particularly after (PKR events in) Gombak, Kuala Pilah and Port Dickson, and (PKR deputy president) Rafizi (Ramli)’s programme in Johor, you can see the enthusiasm and excitement,” he said.
Battles ahead
Anwar said the party is seriously considering which of its big guns to field against the defectors, who also include Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin (Ampang), Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah (Indera Mahkota), and Edmund Santhara Kumar Ramanaidu (Segamat).
His long-time nemesis Mahathir still hasn’t left the political arena and is now putting together an all-Malay alliance.
Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad (middle) with his new coalition GTA
However, many Harapan supporters recognise it was Mahathir’s unwillingness to hand over power which triggered the downfall of the government and they do not wish to work with the former two-time prime minister again.
“In the opposition, we have decided to focus on Harapan, and on seat negotiations, policies, framework, etc.
“I think if we go through with the idea of working with Mahathir again, the people will be critical. What is the reason? Is it the purely political expediency that you think you can only win by working with them?” Anwar said.
Malay agenda
The Port Dickson MP said there were contentious issues that needed to be dealt with, including Mahathir’s race-based approach to politics.
“They talked about Malay unity, or Malay-based party, or Malay agenda, which I have questioned.
“I would say the Malay concerns are also our concerns, but we have to transcend beyond that and deal with the core issue that affects the Malays, i.e. poverty, marginalisation and inequality.
“The Malay agenda has been hijacked by the corrupt elites.
“At the same time, we have mature democracy in this nation and we have to embrace this concept, the inclusiveness of the plight of poor Chinese, Indians, Sarawakians and Sabahans. That’s the future. And I don’t think we should be apologetic if we work based on common values and agenda for the nation,” he said.
Anwar also rejected the notion that this progressive vision was too far away from the sentiment of the Malay heartland, where the politics of Umno and PAS are dominant.
“That’s what they said six decades ago when Onn Jaafar broached the idea of Malay identity.
“After 60 years, we have to work hard because, if we have weak leaders who are sacrificing these core values, humanity and constitutional guarantees, then we will not progress or succeed.
“I am optimistic because the assumption that the Malay heartland is not with us is not entirely true. For example, Kangar has 58 percent Malays and Kuala Kedah 80 percent Malays. And we won comfortably.”
However, many Harapan supporters recognise it was Mahathir’s unwillingness to hand over power which triggered the downfall of the government and they do not wish to work with the former two-time prime minister again.
“In the opposition, we have decided to focus on Harapan, and on seat negotiations, policies, framework, etc.
“I think if we go through with the idea of working with Mahathir again, the people will be critical. What is the reason? Is it the purely political expediency that you think you can only win by working with them?” Anwar said.
Malay agenda
The Port Dickson MP said there were contentious issues that needed to be dealt with, including Mahathir’s race-based approach to politics.
“They talked about Malay unity, or Malay-based party, or Malay agenda, which I have questioned.
“I would say the Malay concerns are also our concerns, but we have to transcend beyond that and deal with the core issue that affects the Malays, i.e. poverty, marginalisation and inequality.
“The Malay agenda has been hijacked by the corrupt elites.
“At the same time, we have mature democracy in this nation and we have to embrace this concept, the inclusiveness of the plight of poor Chinese, Indians, Sarawakians and Sabahans. That’s the future. And I don’t think we should be apologetic if we work based on common values and agenda for the nation,” he said.
Anwar also rejected the notion that this progressive vision was too far away from the sentiment of the Malay heartland, where the politics of Umno and PAS are dominant.
“That’s what they said six decades ago when Onn Jaafar broached the idea of Malay identity.
“After 60 years, we have to work hard because, if we have weak leaders who are sacrificing these core values, humanity and constitutional guarantees, then we will not progress or succeed.
“I am optimistic because the assumption that the Malay heartland is not with us is not entirely true. For example, Kangar has 58 percent Malays and Kuala Kedah 80 percent Malays. And we won comfortably.”
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