'Emotions over performance', Fahmi apologises to PKR after poor results in state polls

PKR information chief Fahmi Fadzil apologised to the party over perceived weaknesses in communicating the government's successes to the voters following the party’s lacklustre results in recent state elections.

Bowing to the crowd of thousands at the PKR annual congress this morning, the communications minister's apology followed multiple speeches from leaders and delegates throughout the event regarding factors affecting the party’s poor performance.

"After listening, researching, and studying for a long time, the most recent (election) in Negeri Sembilan proves that we are facing a very different situation in communications, namely emotions taking precedence over performance," he said at the Melaka International Trade Centre.

The issue of communication was raised repeatedly during debates on PKR president Anwar Ibrahim's policy speech yesterday, with Setiawangsa PKR chief Afdlin Shauki Aksan stressing that, "We may win on policies and numbers, but not necessarily on feelings".

Speaking on the same issue, Malacca representative Hakimin Mokhtar urged the party to adapt to online campaigning via social media.

“Elections are no longer decided on what goes on in the operation rooms on the ground, no longer dependent on ceramah, and limited to door-to-door visits… it’s all happening on the smartphone,” he said.

Message undelivered

Government communication has been an ongoing issue within PKR, with Anwar acknowledging in 2023 that there were "weaknesses".

One of Putrajaya’s efforts to strengthen communication was in the form of daily briefings from the Prime Minister’s Office, but this drew criticism that it would render Fahmi, the government’s spokesperson, a lame duck.

Meanwhile, PKR Women chief Fadhlina Sidek agreed with debates criticising the party's communication strategy.

"Sometimes, those of us in the government are too used to using the language of Putrajaya," she admitted in her speech today.

Likewise, party vice-president Zaliha Mustafa urged PKR members at all levels to help expand the party’s reach among the public.

"It is unfair for the burden of communication to be placed on ministers or the party's information chief," she added.

‘Maybe don’t give them positions’

Fahmi also welcomed Anwar's call for veteran politicians to rejoin the party.

He suggested, though, that they be limited to being ordinary members.

"But we should not necessarily accept them with open arms. Maybe they should be given a cooling-off period so that they can rejoin the party and maybe not be given any positions," he added.

Yesterday, Anwar apologised and appealed to former leaders to return.

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