PKR polls debate: Youth candidates butt heads over Harapan's 'big tent' 

Last night was the first out of three highly anticipated political debates this week, kicking off with the candidates for the election of PKR Youth chief - Fahmi Zainol and Adam Adli Abdul Halim.

The second debate is expected to take place later today, between PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and vice-president Rafizi Ramli, followed by opposition leader and PKR president Anwar Ibrahim and former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, tomorrow.

While last night’s hour-long debate lacked fresh perspectives and critical arguments for the future of the youth, both Fahmi (right in the picture above) and Adam (on the left) interestingly clashed on Pakatan Harapan’s ‘big tent’ approach.

On the approach, which refers to Harapan cooperating with those within the opposition bloc to defeat BN, Adam maintained that the principles of the politicians overruled the formation of the ‘big tent’.

“The way I see it, ‘big tents’ or ‘small tents’ are only political strategies. What’s most important is the stance and principles brought in by the politicians that represent us.

“Especially in the run-up to the 15th general election, we know there is trauma, based on previous political affiliations, that have caused a lot of betrayals, not only to the party but to the rakyat, as well,” Adam said during the debate, which was streamed live on TV channel Astro Awani.

This is a possible reference to the 2020 Sheraton Move, which saw the ousting of the Harapan-led federal government after several MPs, led by then PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, withdrew their support.

Fahmi later accused Adam of avoiding his question, claiming that Adam was in favour of the ‘big tent’ approach.

He questioned if Adam would allow for the three Harapan-ruled states in the country, Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, to be shared with parties outside of the coalition.

“Does Adam understand the feelings of the Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Penang state governments? We worked hard to defend the (state) governments that do not have a big tent.

“I am of the opinion that Adam agrees to the big tent approach, allowing for these three states to be with other parties,” Fahmi said in his round-up speech.

Both have strategies for youths

Earlier, the pair took turns sharing their strategies for the youths, in the event they were elected as PKR youth chief.

Fahmi, who leads “Ayuh Malaysia”, stressed the drawing in of Undi18 voters, adding that good strategies needed to be implemented to ensure a “wave” occurs in GE15. The proposed strategies, however, were not elaborated on.

On the other hand, Adam, who formed “Seangkatan”, pushed for the involvement of youth leaders within the party, and policies on housing, education and labour for their future.

Both Adam and Fahmi hail from similar backgrounds of former student activism, facing their fair share of controversy at young ages.

Adam’s time at his alma mater consisted of several arrests, one on a sedition charge, of which he was later acquitted, and even faced suspension from his university in 2013.

The 33-year-old later went on to work for non-governmental organisations until 2018, when the suspension was lifted and he completed his degree in 2020 at the age of 31. He was accepted into PKR last September, along with 19 other activists.

Pair in a tough fight to win

Meanwhile, 31-year-old Fahmi was a Universiti Malaya (UM) student leader who faced disciplinary action after inviting Anwar Ibrahim to give a speech on the campus in 2014. The current head of Penang PKR Youth joined the party the following year.

Both Fahmi and Adam are in a tough fight leading up to PKR’s party elections at the end of this week.

The PKR election for office bearers for the term 2022 to 2025 will be held from May 13 to 18, while its national congress will be held from June 24 to 26.

For the first time, the election will take place in a hybrid manner, both physically and digitally, through the party’s new Adil application.

Online voters will vote from May 18 to 20, while the physical election will be held from May 13 to 17.

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