Can PKR Youth close ranks?

In PKR Youth chief Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin's policy address in the annual congress this morning, he spent an uncharacteristic amount of time in apologising over his "weaknesses".

Dedicating the first seven paragraphs of his speech to state that he is aware of the criticism on his leadership, he said that he may not be the best, but he certainly knows that the wing can do better with teamwork.

But if his clarion call to close ranks in the past may sound like a political cliche, his reiteration this time is especially true.

Fresh from the most exciting and fiery party elections in PKR's short history, the contest in the Youth wing was no less titillating compared to the elections for the national party leadership.

Although the fight for deputy presidency became an ugly media war, the one for the PKR Youth wing required numerous backroom negotiations, nationwide roadshows and several public debates.

They may be less glamourous for the media, but the intensity of the contest within the wing is as great and the ‘casualties’ are in significant number.

But now Shamsul and his team need to cut their losses for the impending snap polls and Sarawak elections.

Even Shamsul's men such as outgoing deputy chief Fariz Musa literally begged in his winding-up speech for the delegates to stop their conflict and infighting.

Meanwhile, Kedah delegate Khairul Nizam called for the factions to put their differences aside and work together.

But the jury is still out on whether anyone is listening.

Silent protest

Coming into the PKR Youth congress this morning, there were already murmurs that rival Youth chief candidate Badrul Hisham Shaharin will be organising a protest at the compound of the congress venue over the irregularities that surfaced during the party elections.

There were also several delegates spotted with a black armband saying "Save Keadilan". No one made any announcement, but when approached, a Perak delegate said that black shirts were to signify a "silent protest" about how the polls were conducted.

They do not make up the majority,  it is unmistakable to spot the dots of black amidst the sea of blue among the delegates, making up probably five percent of the 439 delegates present.

Badrul Hisham later also made an appearance, albeit a toned-down one, outside the hall, also clad in black.

When asked about Fariz's suggestion in his speech to co-opt Badrul into the Youth exco, he played it coy and said that he will still have to think about it.

 

"I am the type who likes to discuss. I will have to talk about this with my supporters first," he told Malaysiakini when approached.

Lack of discipline

To add to the mountain of troubles, the delegates will have to take to heart outgoing deputy president Syed Husin Ali's advice to buck up in the discipline department.

Although the Youth wing's name is official Angkatan Muda Keadilan , the word angkatan may seem like a misnomer for the young wing.

Having military connotations and bearing the loose definition "force", the wing is neither military-like nor are they a force, judging from the number of delegates who showed up (and stayed until the end of the day).

In fact, by the time the outgoing leadership gave their winding-up speeches, there were only fewer than 100 delegates in the hall. And while 724 delegates had signed up to attend, only 439 actually made it.

Even nominating delegates to represent PKR Youth in the national congress tomorrow already evoked a zoo-like atmosphere among the delegates, with some shouting ' reformasi ' unprompted and without reason.

If Putrajaya is to be their final destination, one should buckle up for a long journey.