PKR needs to push leaders to be on par with Anwar Ibrahim

PKR must push its party leaders to develop on par with party president Anwar Ibrahim to face upcoming challenges, argues an analyst, after the party's poor performance in the recent state elections. Tawfik Yaakub from Universiti Malaya says Anwar, who is also the prime minister, remains the party's biggest political asset. However, his over-reliance on Anwar has caused other leaders to play a secondary role.

Tawfik suggests the party should use the upcoming PKR congress in Melaka as an opportunity to shift from an Anwar-centric approach to a more team-based one, noting that Anwar should not always be the face of the party. He believes voters should see PKR as having a team capable of governing Malaysia, rather than just one strong prime minister.

The congress comes after Pakatan Harapan's losses in the Sabah, Johor, and Negeri Sembilan state elections, and after Nurul Izzah Anwar stepped down as deputy president to pursue further studies. This emphasizes the need for collective leadership in PKR, with various party positions assigned based on strengths. Azmi Hassan, fellow of the National Council of Professors, notes that PKR doesn't appear to have anyone on an equal footing with Anwar, raising questions about the party's ability to inspire voters at a time when it faces internal pressure and political rivals.

Azmi expects the congress to focus on the Melaka state election and possible cooperation between PH and other parties.