The devil's in the detail, analysts tell PKR ahead of GE15

Analysts have urged PKR to move away from broad agendas and instead offer concrete policies and initiatives for the upcoming polls, warning that the Pakatan Harapan (PH) lynchpin has its work cut out to regain popularity among the electorate ahead of the 15th general election (GE15). 

Formed on the back of the "reformasi" or reformation wave after Anwar Ibrahim was sacked as deputy prime minister in 1998, PKR remained in the federal opposition until the 2018 general election. 

It contested 71 parliamentary seats at the time, winning 48 and going on to form the central government together with its fellow Pakatan Harapan (PH) components DAP, Amanah and Bersatu in a historic victory that saw Barisan Nasional (BN) toppled for the first time since independence. 

Its victory was, however, short-lived – the PH administration collapsed after just 22 months in power, following the so-called Sheraton Move which saw Bersatu's exit from the coalition. 

PKR itself lost 10 MPs, leaving it with 38 seats, while PH lost its majority support in the Dewan Rakyat.

PKR went on to lose a series of state elections, winning only two seats at the Sabah polls in September 2020 and one at the Johor election in March. 

It was completely wiped out in the Sarawak election last December as well as the Melaka election in November.

Political analyst Mujibu Abd Muis however said that state elections differ from elections on a national level in terms of scenario, narrative and setting. 

Mujibu, of Universiti Teknologi Mara, said PKR might benefit from the multi-cornered fights and greater number of voters expected at GE15.

"It could stand a chance if the voter turnout is high on polling day," he added. 

"The biggest challenge for PKR and PH will be to secure the support of the Malays.

"If this can be resolved quickly, whether by their own efforts or through a strategic electoral pact, it would boost their chances in the election." 

Analyst Bridget Welsh agreed, saying a number of factors had contributed to PKR's poor performance at the state level. 

"The party itself remained internally fragmented," Welsh, of the University of Nottingham Asia Research Institute-Malaysia, told MalaysiaNow. 

"It was inward-looking, so it didn't engage a platform with the voters." 

Mujibu said PKR would need a convincing narrative to counteract the strong grassroots support enjoyed by Umno and BN in Malay-majority constituencies, and even in PH's own urban and suburban seats. 

"Don't just stick with fighting corruption and promoting good governance," he added, citing suggestions such as foreign policy and plans for a sustainable economy. 

"They must come as a convincing and capable government in-waiting." 

Welsh, meanwhile, said PKR's main challenge would be to change its "reformasi" mindset of the 1990s. 

"The big challenge is Anwar Ibrahim, who lacks support among the younger people, particularly in Borneo," she said. 

"The question is, how do they include and promote new leaders, and make the party more inclusive and robust?

"Not just broad policies – more concrete policies and initiative programmes are needed from PKR and PH. Talk about a genuine, inclusive politics that isn't a race-based framework." 

In this context, both Welsh and Mujibu agreed that the return of former Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli would help the party in GE15. 

Rafizi, who quit politics in late 2019, announced his return earlier this year. He won the position of deputy president in PKR's party elections in May. 

Welsh said Rafizi's presence would appeal to the urban and upper-middle class groups traditionally connected to the "reformasi" agenda. 

"Rafizi's appeal is limited to bringing back the core for PKR, but at the same time, there are the impacts of him being younger, and it moves the discussion focal point from being only on Anwar," she said. 

Mujibu meanwhile said Rafizi would play an important role for the party in terms of strategy, campaign and creative approach.