James Chin of the University of Tasmania said that while PKR may still consider itself a reformist party, public perception suggests otherwise.
He said the Anwar Ibrahim-led party has not been able to push through any real reforms, partly due to its alliance with Umno in the unity government.
Umno, a party not known for its support of reforms, has been dragging Pakatan Harapan down, said Chin. “That’s what’s hurting PKR’s image,” he told FMT.
Chin added that while PKR members still believe in its reformist identity, their role in government has been limited as most key decisions rested with Anwar and his Cabinet, not party members.
He cited the decision to extend Azam Baki’s tenure as head of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission as one example—a decision that has not sat down well with some PKR members including Nurul Izzah Anwar, the prime minister’s daughter and a party vice-president.
Chin, however, expects PKR supporters to remain loyal to the party, regardless of the excuses put forward by the leadership for failing to live up to promises made in the lead up to the 15th general election in 2022.
“The party will say it is just slow with reforms and they (the supporters) will just accept it,” he said, referring to remarks by another vice-president Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
Last week, Nik Nazmi said that although the unity government has not moved fast enough to implement reforms, PKR remains committed to its pledge of carrying out much needed institutional changes.
He said the unity government has made some progress in implementing the party’s reform agenda, including pushing through a constitutional amendment granting citizenship to children born overseas to Malaysian mothers with foreign spouses.
Syaza Shukri of International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) acknowledged that PKR’s involvement in the unity government has affected its image but said the party still has time to reclaim the reformist mantle.
She suggested that Anwar target certain “low hanging fruits”, such as imposing a term limit for the prime minister—a policy he has previously endorsed.
“The party needs to push the government to fulfil its reform to win back the trust of its supporters.”
Syaza said the frustration among PKR supporters was apparent, especially the non-Malays who had backed the party on its promises of good governance and institutional change.
“PKR needs to go back to its roots,” she said, referring to the party’s battle cry of reform.