Can PKR lead Pakatan in quest for M'sian dream?

analysis On March 8, some 3.8 million Malaysians cast their votes in support of the opposition front Barisan Rakyat.

It was the most important collective decision in electoral history, and it continues to impact on changes in the domestic political landscape.

Opposition parties DAP, PKR and PAS captured 82 parliamentary and 196 state seats, and subsequently dubbed themselves Pakatan Rakyat as they took the reins of five states - Kelantan, Kedah, Penang, Perak and Selangor.

In all this, PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim (left) - since appointed parliamentary opposition leader - has played the role as facilitator.

He accomplished a feat that former Semangat 46 chief Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah was unable to do in the 1990 general election under his Gagasan Rakyat coalition.

The loosely-formed Barisan Rakyat’s electoral understanding faced much scepticism and cynicism in the initial stages. Doomsayers from the ruling Barisan Nasional had generously predicted that ideological differences would be the doom of its political rival.

However, the opposition not only denied BN its two-thirds majority in Parliament, but increased its popular vote from 34.6 percent in 2004 to 47.7 percent on March 8.

What was Anwar’s role in bringing about success?

A party insider cited Anwar’s ability to rally the parties on common ground, particularly on the electoral battlefield.

He enabled the disparate leadership to mobilise a positive campaign that also awakened millions of Malaysian voters to the need for change.

“It was a campaign that accommodated a collective voice of dissent against the BN’s incompetent governance against corruption, power and judicial abuse amongst other key issues,” said the insider.

PKR treasurer-general and Selayang MP William Leong was more specific: “The election manifesto - themed Harapan Baru (A New Dawn) - caught the imagination of the people. People want change. Anwar was the moderator and facilitator who built the common platform.”

How different from BN?

Many of the conservative mindset have been quick to equate Anwar’s role in Pakatan to that of the BN chairperson, but others see “great differences”.

“Pakatan is a people-driven coalition, driven by a reservoir of goodwill and political will among top leadership of all the component parties,” said Leong, comparing the decision-making process with that of BN.

“The Pakatan parties share equal status unlike those in BN (where there is one dominant party with self-acclaimed supremacy) and (which use threats and manipulate) racial tensions and fears (among the people).

“Pakatan believes in working together for the good of the people. In Selayang, for example, we have co-opted a DAP representative into our structure, even though it does not have a elected representative in the constituency.”

Elaborating on the perceived unequal status of BN component parties, Leong said there is no such hierarchy within Pakatan.

“Our coalition should not repeat the mistakes and shortcomings of the BN. Anwar is the driver of the coalition (and not a big brother) as he only plays a pro-active role as facilitator,” he said.

PKR information chief Tian Chua said Pakatan is fortunate that it is a new organisation without the “serious mental or historical luggage”of the BN.

Pakatan leaders also challenged the notion that BN operates on a basis of consensus in decision making, given the many instances of directives issued by Umno without consulting other component parties.

“(Unlike BN), PKR’s role is not to dictate (decisions or policies) to component parties because the party is not a big brother. Decision-making is done after consensus is among the leaders,” said Leong.

“Pakatan will not emulate the bad examples set by the BN.”

Chua described PKR’s role within Pakatan as one that is evolving.

“As a moderator, PKR will encourage internal debate on issues and will not impose policies or decisions (on other parties). It will not place any restriction on open discussion even if there are differences on ideological grounds,” he said.

“BN as a political institution has failed miserably and we (in Pakatan) should not use it as a yardstick. Pakatan must offer new and innovative leadership in governance.”

Formal or loose structure?

In the 12th general election, PKR had proven its ability to forge a strong opposition partnership and to lay the foundations for the Pakatan coalition.

Many Malaysians hope it will deliver the ‘Malaysian dream’ for civil and political liberties, eradication of poverty and corruption, and a guarantee of independence for watchdog institutions including the media and judiciary.

Whether the coalition should be institutionalised as a formal entity like the BN remains a muted question, but suggestions have emerged for the working relationship to be strengthened among its leaders.

“Coalition-building takes time. It is time now for second- and third-tier (leaders) to strengthen their rapport, cooperation and mutual understanding,” said a source.

A close aide of Anwar is of the opinion that Pakatan should aim towards a formal structure instead of remaining a loose alliance.

The coalition is currently putting the finishing touch to a Pakatan charter that will serve as a common platform for its three component parties.

“Pakatan’s elected representatives are in place nationwide, from Kedah to Johor. Its control of the five states has created a strategic continuous corridor,” said the aide who declined to be named.

“In view of this, PKR’s future role too should take on a different or higher level. It could spearhead joint economic development or people-oriented activities, as well as set up Pakatan secretariats at division and state levels.

“Although ideas have been thrown about for a joint conference of the five heads of Pakatan state governments or even a joint parliamentary convention of Pakatan MPs, nothing has come of this to date.”

“I hope with Anwar’s pro-active role, these will materialise soon. If Pakatan leaders put their heads and hearts together to organise these strategic activities, the coalition will move forward.”

The PKR congress this weekend is expected to address key economic and education issue, while re-examining the coalition’s post-polls political convictions.

But will it also find the momentum for the long-delayed delivery of its promises to voters?

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