BALIK PULAU – Despite a certain disillusionment over the last 18 months, Penang PKR remains steadfast in championing reforms as the country heads into the new year.
As the party takes stock of its performance in Melaka and Sarawak, state chapter chief Datuk Muhammed Bakhtiar Wan Chik said that stinging losses at the two state elections served as a wake-up call.
He told The Vibes that PKR is here to stay and hopes to continue attracting like-minded visionaries to help in its cause for reform.
The party will also unveil its Penang report card, showcasing what it has done, especially in helping those affected by the pandemic and the recent floods.
Bakhtiar also said there is a need for PKR to identify young leaders in view of Undi18 voters who are eligible to cast their ballots in coming elections.
As for opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, he said, the party president remains the only alternative to lead the country despite what critics may say.
“We have seen leaders since the Sheraton Move – Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob – failing in the face of crises. The leadership is inadequate in dealing with challenges stemming from the pandemic and climate change.
“The government leaders have failed, and they have neglected going to the ground, instead making decisions from the comfort of their air-conditioned rooms.”
Bakhtiar also admitted that the fight to remain relevant in Penang is tougher as all political parties now want to contest here, even Sabah-based Warisan and new party Parti Bangsa Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Penang PKR vice-chairman Jason Ong Khan Lee said he is fully aware of the criticism aimed at Anwar, but the critics have not put forward another candidate capable of uniting the opposition.
“Many names can be bandied about, but the truth is that Anwar remains relevant just as long as his opponents resort to deceit and corruption. They have prevented him from leading through fraud and backstabbing. His opponents fear him, so they resort to such tactics to stay in power. We should have faith in Anwar.
“To replace Anwar in the middle of the battle to save Malaysia is to play into the hands of our rivals,” he said amid calls from within certain segments of Pakatan Harapan to replace Anwar after recent electoral defeats.
“While Anwar may have his faults, he has stitched together an opposition front in the last two decades to counter Barisan Nasional, and its clones in Perikatan Nasional.”
“There are many who contested on the PKR ticket and left when they were enticed. Some are now ministers or deputy ministers. They contested on our badge and honour,” said Ong. – The Vibes, December 31, 2021
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