Report: “PKR must take charge, act like dominant party in unity govt,” says party man

Report: “PKR must take charge, act like dominant party in unity govt,” says party man





THE Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim-led PKR must take charge and act like the dominant party it is in the coalition government, said a party leader.

Sim Tze Tzin, who is the new political secretary at the party’s presidential office, said there are more than 10 parties in the unity government on federal level and PKR must galvanise the party at all levels to be a leader in all aspects of governance, The Vibes reported.

“We need to empower PKR from the top to the grassroots,” Sim, who is the Bayan Baru MP, added, citing examples such as in the United Kingdom, Germany and Turkey where the prime minister’s party leads in governance and policy-making.

On April 8, PKR announced the formation of a five-member President’s Office Secretariat to address issues which crop up in the country’s political landscape.

In a statement, Anwar, the PKR chief, said the secretariat will help to determine the party’s direction while facilitating activities at all levels of PKR.

The new secretariat comprises five political secretaries in the president’s office. It is led by its senior political secretary Datuk Romli Ishak who will act as its coordinator.

The other members of the secretariat are Onn Abu Bakar, Sim Tze Tzin, Manivanan Gowin and Juwairiya Zulkifli.

Meanwhile, Sim reckoned that PKR needs stronger leadership in its political machinery and must reduce the gap in support between urban and rural voters.

“PKR is renowned as an urban party but now we are in government. We need to feature predominantly in both the urban and rural areas. We need to be a centrist for all people,” he was quoted as saying.

According to Sim, the party will disseminate factual information about the state of the economy while championing moderation in racial and religious polemics.

He said fellow Malaysians need to understand that the rising cost of living is a global phenomenon.

“The world, including the likes of US and China as well as Southeast Asia, is struggling in the face of pent-up demand which has driven up inflation to record levels,” he added.

Sim further said PKR is confident that the populist policies advocated by the racial- and religious-centric Perikatan Nasional (PN) are unsustainable because they are unrealistic.

He noted that over time, reality will bite as the country struggles to stay competitive after decades of misgovernance.

“This not only takes time, it takes a huge level of patience and political willpower,” he added. – April 11, 2024.