Empathise with PKR

Selena Tay, Harakah  

This is the first time that PKR or any other political party in Malaysia, for that matter, is holding party elections where every member can choose party leaders. This is indeed a very good and laudable move, a bold move which should be commended upon in the true spirit of encouraging a vibrant democracy where everyone can have a say on who should be leading them.

As in the case of every pioneering move, problems abound.  I recall watching the old western movie on black and white television ‘How The West Was Won’ where pioneers who opened up new frontiers faced many problems, obstacles and hardships.  But their courage, perseverance and great pioneering spirit won the day in the end.

In Pakatan Rakyat’s coalition politics, the fraternity is based on the fact that there is one common vision based on the Common Policy Framework which is drawn up to meet the demands of the needs and realities of the current political situation.  The Common Policy Framework forms the base of the strength of Pakatan Rakyat. 

A strong Pakatan Rakyat is a necessity and a requirement in Malaysia so that the fledgling 2-party system can survive to become a thriving reality. 

Be that as it may, any political party is at its weakest during its party elections.  It is the norm in party elections where party leaders will be jostling for posts.  Name me a political party where the elections are tame and friendly affairs wherein the leaders always say, ‘I don’t want any post because I can’t do the job’.  If anyone can name me such a political party, I will show him a flying mammoth elephant!  By the way, if there is such a party, it is called tea party. 

PKR is going through a fragile point because it is holding its party elections now.  Those disgruntled members who are unhappy with the party for one reason or other will always take this opportunity to slam the party.  Some will quit. 

Of course these are not genuine party members who stick with the party through thick and thin.  They are people who joined the party in the hope of making gains and when these gains are not forthcoming, they quit in a huff.  This is what I term as good riddance to bad rubbish. 

Of course those who quit PKR citing loss of confidence in its leadership will be given great prominence and coverage by the BN-controlled mainstream media who give them ample space and time to air their so-called grouses by granting them interviews where they can seek their 2 or 3 minutes of fame.

As PKR has audaciously taken the innovative move to implement direct party elections which is something not seen before, the public must be willing to empathise with PKR who is undergoing a critical time at the moment instead of castigating them.  

Sailing through unchartered waters, it is not surprising that PKR has encountered choppy waves, strong undercurrents, whirlpools and turbulent storms.  Nonetheless, we must commend them for having the audacity to try out this new election method.  Although they know that they will be facing the great unknown, they have courageously decided to go for it.  Problems never anticipated before are bound  to crop up.  Any anomalies or irregularities have to be handled with care and caution by the party leadership.

It is my fervent hope that the PKR leadership will be matured enough to handle and overcome all the difficulties that they are facing.  I wish them well and hope that soon they will emerge from this dark tunnel and into the daylight stronger and ready to face the challenges of the coming 13th General Election.

I also think that Anwar Ibrahim’s charismatic leadership will lead PKR out of their current electoral problems which can only be termed as normal organisational behaviour that exists during intra-party elections.  Tensions during party elections also exist in UMNO, MCA and MIC or have the public well-known for their short memory forgotten about all these?

PAS and DAP will not take the bait of the BN-controlled mainstream media’s ploy to interfere in PKR’s party elections.  The problems are not insurmountable and PAS and DAP have wisely allowed the PKR leadership to solve their electoral problems without any interference. 

Like PAS and DAP, those who truly support Pakatan Rakyat must emphatise with PKR and not do anything to break-up the two-party system.  Everyone must play their part to support a fledgling democracy towards a brighter future for the country.