PKR needs recovery plan to avoid ‘disastrous’ GE16 defeat, says Tian Chua

Veteran PKR leader Tian Chua has warned the party must prioritize a recovery plan to avoid a "disastrous defeat" in the upcoming general election. In an interview with FMT, Mr. Chua attributed the party's recent losses in the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections, in part, to weakened support from grassroots members. He urged party leaders to act decisively, acting as "corporate turnaround consultants" to restore momentum and rebuild political capital.

Former vice-president Tian Chua, who was dismissed from the party in 2023 for contesting a parliamentary seat as an independent, expressed concern that many supporters who participated in the 1998 Reformasi movement now feel neglected since the party entered government. He emphasized the importance of regenerating interest among these members, making them feel they are an integral part of the movement.

Chua also noted that Chinese and Indian voters felt the party did not adequately fight for their rights, while Malay voters saw PKR as "neither here nor there" in defending their interests. Despite these challenges, he stressed the need for PKR to promote policies that unite across ethnic divisions, even if they are not immediately popular, and cautioned against introducing policies solely for electoral gain.