'Use convention to discuss helping Umno regain Malay support'
Published on: Sunday, April 21, 2024
By:
FMT, Elill Easwaran
An analyst says Umno needs to be seen as a reliable partner for PKR and on par with the likes of DAP. (PKR pic)
PETALING JAYA: PKR should use its special convention today to explore ways it could help Umno regain Malay support, an analyst said.
Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said while the convention is generally not the venue to discuss such issues, the party should look into ways to help Umno so it could be seen as the party that represents the Malays.
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Based on the outcome of the last general election and six state elections, he said, Perikatan Nasional is currently viewed as the coalition that best represents their interest.
“PKR needs to ensure that Umno is once again viewed as the party that is upholding the rights of the Malays and Islam,” he told FMT.
Azmi said Umno also needs to be seen as a reliable partner for PKR and on par, in terms of influence, with the likes of DAP, as Umno is Pakatan Harapan’s biggest ally in the unity government.
PKR should also address the criticisms of its reformist image, he said, noting the internal attacks on the lack of reforms carried out.
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“Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had spoken about institutional reforms before forming the government, but little has been done,” he said, adding that the lack of reforms has provided ammunition for PN to attack Anwar.
“The opposition is saying he is not walking the talk.”
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James Chin of the University of Tasmania said it is important for PKR to discuss bringing the government back to the middle ground.
Chin said much of the racial and religious issues going on now is due to Anwar, who is also the PKR president, “pandering to the right-wing crowd”.
“So, his role now should be on how to bring Malaysia back to the middle. That’s the biggest issue faced by the country and he can’t run away from it,” he said.
He also expressed hope that PKR would reaffirm its commitment to multiracialism during the convention as it is the only mainstream party that is fully multiracial and hence, needs to take the lead in a plural society.
Separately, a division leader who spoke on condition of anonymity said the convention is meant to pave the way for the party’s elections.
Conventions are compulsory before the party polls, the leader said. “Once the convention is held, we can expect the party elections either at year-end or early next year.”
A PKR MP said the convention is to strengthen the grassroots and to project a unified front.
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