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Why Anwar is a bane for the opposition By Tan Poh Lai
savemalaysia
Publish date: Fri, 20 Aug 2021, 11:59 AM
Former Wanita PKR leader tells why she thinks the opposition chief is not suitable for the post of prime minister or to lead the Pakatan Harapan coalition.
Given the groundswell of discontent in the country against Muhyiddin Yassin, one would have thought that the opposition leader would have universal support to replace the unpopular outgoing prime minister. However, this does not appear to be so.
Dr Mahathir Mohamad brought Anwar Ibrahim into Umno, and he bypassed many others to become the deputy prime minister before his sacking in 1998 on charges of sodomy and abuse of power.
PKR was then formed as an avenue for reform. The prospect of a multiracial party was very appealing, and the cry of Reformasi captivated many. The party is the success that it is today due to many members who made great sacrifices for the party. However, Anwar’s style of leadership has deeply divided the party.
When the opposition led by Anwar won Selangor in 2008, Anwar arbitrarily chose a corporate figure from outside the party rank and file, Khalid Ibrahim, to be the menteri besar, causing much discontent within PKR. This was the beginning of deep divisions within the party which continued for many years. This developed and caused PKR to be divided into serious factions, which were an open secret.
However, despite the serious dissatisfaction with his arbitrary leadership, in 2013 Anwar unbelievably, yet again, without prior consultation with his elected party leadership, made Khalid the MB for a second term in 2018. The long-suffering PKR members tried to maintain an appearance of unity despite this second shocking decision, but within a matter of months, it was untenable. It was clear that Khalid had to be replaced. The solution was the Kajang Move.
The original plan was that Anwar would contest in the state seat of Kajang, which would enable him to be the replacement for Khalid as menteri besar. However, the plan fell apart when it became clear that there were many obstacles, and his wife was then chosen as the candidate.
But despite her winning, it appeared unacceptable for her to be the replacement as the menteri besar. The party then faced yet another serious crisis caused by the same arbitrary style of leadership. His poor decisions, made without prior consultation with the party leadership, caused hardship to the party, and members suffered the consequences of these poor decisions.
Without credit to Anwar, thankfully, a solution was found to this embarrassing impasse when Mohamed Azmin Ali was appointed as menteri besar after protracted negotiation.
In the run-up to the general election of 2013, many members sacrificed tremendously from the grassroots to put up credible candidates for the general election. However, in the weeks before nomination day, Anwar replaced many of these potential candidates with his personal choices, which he parachuted in. These eleventh-hour flip-flops caused turmoil. It was believed that many seats could have been won had there not been these last-minute changes of candidates due to his direct personal intervention.
When it came to the GE of 2018, many hoped that history would not repeat itself. Strict guidelines were put in place to ensure that these last-minute flip-flops would not happen again. However, despite these guidelines, in 2018 the worst-case scenario occurred whereby potential candidates working hard on the ground for years were again replaced at the last minute against the same guidelines. It was clear that Anwar did not practise what he preached.
Another clear instance of Anwar’s poor judgment and controversial arbitrary leadership was the internal party elections in 2019. The previous party elections in 2014 were already acknowledged as chaotic and had attracted much adverse publicity for the party. Anwar then vowed that the elections in 2019 would be smooth, transparent and above board. PKR then implemented the one-man, one-vote method through digital voting, the first party to do so.
Many members expressed doubts about the practicality of this digital voting and believed that the party was not ready for this. What unfolded was a worst case scenario. Inevitably, many instances of chaos ensued. Numerous complaints were lodged with the party election committee throughout the protracted voting, which lasted between four and six months.
When there was clear evidence lodged with the party election committee against certain candidates, little action was taken, leading many to claim again that Anwar did not practise what he preached. It appeared that this was so because these alleged wrongdoers came from a certain favoured faction leading many to claim that, yet again, double standards were being practised.
Then, yet another shock befell the party.
In the division of Julau in Sarawak, there was a sudden massive surge of 13,000 members who were registered to vote apparently after the deadline had passed.
Their eligibility to vote was seriously questioned. This appeared to be outrageous! Yet again, no requisite action was taken and the deputy prime minister, Anwar’s wife, suddenly appeared in Julau which was a rural area in Sarawak – apparently to campaign, which was against the party guidelines.
This led to yet another groundswell of uneasiness about Anwar’s leadership, which appeared to be familiarly arbitrary and nepotistic.
Over and above the party elections that were riddled with one controversy after another over a period of four to six months, in the middle of the election when members were battling with many unresolved issues nationwide, Anwar then announced a shock decision. He had decided to become an MP so as to make himself eligible for premiership. The seat of Port Dickson was chosen. Many questioned why not his wife or daughter’s seat.
Members were then required to go to Port Dickson to assist in his campaign despite the ongoing controversial party elections. Many questioned why he could not have waited another month or two after waiting for so long for this move when the party elections would have been over.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, as opposition leader, he should have provided strong leadership to assist the nation in this unprecedented national crisis. In the Sabah state election, Pakatan leaders went all-out campaigning for Shafie Apdal. However, instead of assisting his fellow Pakatan opposition colleague, on the eve of the much-awaited Sabah polling day, he made the stunning “I have the numbers” claim which has plagued him until today.
This was reminiscent of a similar episode known widely as the 916 in 2008. The stock market crashed that day, and the next day Shafie lost the election by a narrow margin. To this day, the shocking statement by Anwar of having a strong and convincing majority has never been substantiated. This monumental error of his displayed a dangerous side of him. In hindsight, PH should have, from that incident onwards, looked for a replacement for him so as to avert the crisis we face today as it was already apparent that for many months, Muhyiddin was very shaky.
Anwar’s leadership in PKR has been beleaguered with one crisis after another, which has practically left the party fractured. Opposition against his leadership grew. To address this in and around April 2020, he sacked hundreds of members without due process, whom he considered to be against his leadership although they had broken no rules.
Can we entrust the nation at such a critical juncture to such a leader who has consistently displayed poor judgment? Despite the odds being in his favour, he has not been able to unite the MPs behind him to deliver the clear, convincing majority that he claimed he possessed months ago. If Anwar is a gentleman, he should be magnanimous and concede by now that he does not have the numbers to be the prime minister despite so many chances given to him.
At this juncture, PH should now look beyond Anwar and aggressively pursue an alternative which appears to be Shafie Apdal.
Tan Poh Lai, daughter of late parliamentary opposition leader Dr Tan Chee Khoon, is a former Wanita PKR vice-chief.
https://www.malaysianow.com/opinion/2021/08/20/why-anwar-is-a-bane-for-the-opposition/
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Discussions
Be the first to like this. Showing 40 of 40 comments
I think Anwar did a fine job...narrowly defeat by 6 mps votes loh!
Keep trying mah!
2021-08-21 15:02
Don't forget Anwar did get another lawsuit of raping former aid this Tuesday morning. The path to PMship will not be easy for him. I think we should think of a new replacement.
2021-08-21 15:04
These r plot...trying very hard to frame anwar mah!
Posted by stockfreak > Aug 21, 2021 3:04 PM | Report Abuse
Don't forget Anwar did get another lawsuit of raping former aid this Tuesday morning. The path to PMship will not be easy for him. I think we should think of a new replacement.
2021-08-21 15:08
Anwar Ibrahim is the one with plan A without plan B! Anwar also cannot rally support from other party leaders! This makes him unsuitable going forward! Post GE15, how do you trust Anwar to form a government if Harapan fall short by few seats! Can he get the number! He can't!
2021-08-21 15:40
Take Mohiden for example! This dude has plan A B C D all the way to plan Z! Mohiden able to step aside for Ismail Sabri! He lost the battle but won the war! Can you see how to distinguish a winner from the loser!
2021-08-21 15:41
This bcos current mps are mostly corrupted...even so Anwar hit popular support of 105 mah...narrowly lost... the next election the rakyat going to eliminate more & more corruption mps....that will bodes well with anwar mah!
Anwar is our best bets now loh!
Posted by Tobby > Aug 21, 2021 3:40 PM | Report Abuse
Anwar Ibrahim is the one with plan A without plan B! Anwar also cannot rally support from other party leaders! This makes him unsuitable going forward! Post GE15, how do you trust Anwar to form a government if Harapan fall short by few seats! Can he get the number! He can't!
2021-08-21 15:43
Do you think Mohiden doesn't have a plan to displace Anwar from Harapan! He has! Look, if Ismail Sabri does not follow Bersatu condition, Mohiden can take Bersatu and GPS and form government with Dap! Does Anwar has this type of approach in politics!
2021-08-21 15:43
Only dishonest man have so many dishonest plan loh!
Posted by Tobby > Aug 21, 2021 3:41 PM | Report Abuse
Take Mohiden for example! This dude has plan A B C D all the way to plan Z! Mohiden able to step aside for Ismail Sabri! He lost the battle but won the war! Can you see how to distinguish a winner from the loser!
2021-08-21 15:45
anwar trusted the most cunning fox of malaysia in ge 14 and thus he has to pay for his deeds.
2021-08-21 16:02
Posted by durian_d11 > Aug 21, 2021 3:51 PM | Report Abuse
anwar like no game plan
Answer : Exactly! Anwar has no game plan! All depend on size of his mouth! Those days are goner after epic humiliation! Now Harapan leaders are making their move against Anwar! You think Pkr has Anwar's back! You must be kidding! Pkr too want to get rid of Anwar!
2021-08-21 16:15
Poor DSAI sudah jatuh, tertimpa tangga pula.
Many insiders and outsiders like to stab him in the back.
2021-08-21 16:28
yes. i agree. may be he can prove to be the best pm for malaysia if given a chance which may put mahathir at back seat. that's why all the knives are charging at him.
2021-08-21 16:44
Don't worry lah...Anwar will lead PH in next general election and win in style to become the ten PM of Malaysia.
2021-08-21 18:37
From past records, it seems AI is a square head not suitable in politics. I doubts if he become PM will be short while either toppled by insider or outsider. Can you imagine PH manifesto clearly stated he will be PM after 2 years but he cannot grasp it.
2021-08-21 19:15
Anwar has being betrayed by the malay elite political system mah!
He needs to keep on fighting the injustice until it is make right mah!
Stand with PH loh!
Posted by henry888 > Aug 21, 2021 7:15 PM | Report Abuse
From past records, it seems AI is a square head not suitable in politics. I doubts if he become PM will be short while either toppled by insider or outsider. Can you imagine PH manifesto clearly stated he will be PM after 2 years but he cannot grasp it.
2021-08-21 19:17
So yeah, Mahathir gave Anwar 2 years to prepare majority support from lawmakers! When Mahathir called it a day, did Anwar has the majority! And then when Mohiden too resign, did Anwar has the majority support!
All this talk about having majority! All empty talks!
2021-08-21 19:28
Opine 'no go' mostly influenced by M as he is the most non-beneficiary of PH & MU. i guess LGE most probably will take his father's advice whom in turn is very close to M now.
2021-08-21 21:34
Who never lock down first once Covid-19 started in KL; who approve Sabah election when the number already show majority by PN parties? Which cause covid spread like wildfire? PH and Anwar.
This u call Hidup Rakyat.Mati rakyat now Covid-19 passing 20k.
Where Anwar and LGE leadership during 2020 and 2021 Covid-19 crisis? Got but too little.
2021-08-21 22:06
Just a simple question is UMN0 now more unite and stronger?
If PH gave the support to PN what will happen to UMNO?
Do PH want to face a weaker and divide UMNO or a stronger and unite UMNO come GE15?
2021-08-22 00:56
SsLee! Umno influence is waning! It depends on majority malays support! The so called 3 million members is just a figure! Felda settlers and Tabung Haji savers are goner!
Umno today is divided! As long as court cluster dominate the top positions, then Umno is facing certain death!
Only a new lineup of those 60 and below are relevant in current urban majority malays settings! Depending on rural voters are the silliest political strategy ever! After 60 years, Umno still depends on rural voters because they cannot understand how the 80% urban malays think!
Even if Umno get rid of court cluster, Umno will not be able to capture Putrajaya! Non malays no longer want to vote or associate themselves with Umno! So BN is totally and completely buried!
Post GE15, the outcome is very uncertain! But what is for sure, non malays are not with Umno or BN! And for certain, urban malays will not vote for Umno! So tell me, who will vote for Umno anyway!
As for Harapan, Pkr will get more urban malay voters if the right younger malay leaders take over! Anwar is goner! Urban malays will go for Nurul or Rafizi!
So yeah, for Harapan to capture Putrajaya, they need potential malay leaders to take over! Khairy is a big pull! Zahrul who has manage our finance is another good card!
YOu final question! Yeah, it's up to Harapan to face the dying Umno with better malay leaders!
2021-08-22 01:10
revival of umno shows malay unity is a winning card................................................for them.
2021-08-22 01:11
What we see now is birds of same feather flock together! But it's just backdoor government 2.0! Not chosen by rakyat! It is what it is!
And Anwar lost that game again! And it shows that Anwar no longer fit to lead Harapan!
2021-08-22 01:13
Anwar Ibrahim is a total JOKE, always talk cok
Everyday claims “got enough supports”, when needed to show cards, kept hid under the staircase. Anwar is so crazy for the power & PM post, what the heck on earth Anwar can do for the nation & people?
2021-08-22 02:03
You are right, even he is a joke, anwar is still better than another joker Lim, not to mention the big fat laughing stock Sapu.
stockraider Yes is still the best PH candidates loh!
21/08/2021 6:39 PM
2021-08-22 02:05
PH can win all the urban Seats but still loss GE15. Rural seats in East and West Mslaysia are the King maker.
With the return of hundred millions of money to Najib and UMNO the "Cash is king" is back, cash will be used openly to win the rural seats in GE15
2021-08-22 08:20
The appointment of Khalid Ibrahim as Selangor MB was a great decision by Anwar to stay true to his ideal of reformation, but apparently, this reformation things is not to be likened by his political cronies, whom hungry for power. Nonetheless, PKR members were ex-UMNO, students of Tun Madey.
2021-08-22 10:57
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DSAI should be given a last chance at GE15 and he should volunteer to step down from party within 2-3 years (2-3 years so that he can groom the younger leaders there or hopefully convince Rafizi to make a comeback). The future lies in Muda not Warisan, unless Warisan can prove that it can become a power bloc in both Sabah & Sarawak. Right now even Shafee cant convince GPS that he as PM is good for them.
2021-08-21 11:00