Learn from 2018, don’t let infighting divide us, Anwar tells PKR members

KUALA LUMPUR – The infighting that transpired following PKR’s 2018 election should serve as a lesson to all party leaders vying for positions in the upcoming polls to ensure a friendly competition this time. 

This was PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s message for all members ahead of voting next month, reminding them about the potential disharmony that could take place if they resort to personal attacks. 

Speaking at a breaking fast event with community leaders in Selangor last night, Anwar said members must not allow any room for action that could potentially lead to a trust deficit in the party, instead describing the election as a “battlefield between friends”. 

“To me, let there be a friendly competition. Stop ridiculing others and any move of personal interest, what more during the holy month of Ramadan,” he said at the event organised by Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. 

“We have already gone through a situation where certain quarters had pretty much eroded the strength of our party.”

While he did not mention any names, Anwar could be referring to the events that unfolded during and after the party polls in 2018, which saw then party deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali locked in a conflict against those aligned to the president. 

Despite being deputy president, Azmin, who is Gombak MP and former Selangor menteri besar, continued to have a fractious relationship with Anwar before he and his faction quit the party in February 2020. 

Acknowledging the impact of Azmin’s action, particularly to Selangor PKR, Anwar expressed his appreciation to Amirudin and the state leadership in rebuilding the state chapter. 

“At a time when you were crushed to such an extent in Selangor, you were able to reassemble and rebuild the state.

“I know it wasn’t easy (with what happened) in 2018. And this should serve as a lesson to us all.”

While this year’s party election is not expected to lead to similar fractures as in the past, it will also witness a number of clashes, particularly for the deputy presidency. 

PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who is seen by many as Anwar’s number two, will face party vice-president Rafizi Ramli, who recently announced his return to active politics. 

The two leaders, however, have already downplayed potential infighting that may stem from the polls, with Saifuddin saying he does not see his and Rafizi’s characters repeating what Azmin did.

Rafizi had also, in a blog post on April 12, reminded that this year’s polls should not be smeared with emotions and personal attacks.

On a separate matter, Anwar said despite views shared by political analysts and elitists about Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) chances in the coming general election, he is confident Selangor will surpass its 2018 general election performance.

“This is what I gather from grassroots members, village heads, council members and those who are always on the ground with the rakyat. 

“As long as you continue doing your job, whatever analysis about our chances of winning the coming election, we can discard them, because I am confident with the services you are doing.” – The Vibes, April 16, 2022