Bigwigs losing PKR division polls show grassroots pushing for change, says analyst

Bigwigs losing PKR division polls show grassroots pushing for change, says analyst

PETALING JAYA: The defeat of several high-profile figures, including ministers, in PKR’s divisional elections signals grassroots dissatisfaction with their performance in Putrajaya and as elected representatives, according to a political analyst.

Rusdi Omar of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) said the losses also reflect a growing boldness among party members to push for change.

“These defeats suggest that many among PKR’s grassroots believe that several of (the party’s) ministers are performing below par. It also shows that members are aware of their MPs’ lacklustre performance and failure to fulfil promises.

“This is also an opportunity to introduce new faces into PKR’s leadership. The grassroots are calling for a breath of fresh air, and this sends a clear message to the top leadership – there are many capable individuals in PKR, not just the same old faces,” he told FMT.

Rusdi also praised the grassroots for having the courage to drop their support for senior and high-ranking figures.

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“All political parties, including the opposition, need the courage to renew their leadership if they want to retain public trust by offering fresh ideas,” he said.

Among the notable names who lost in the divisional polls was natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who was defeated by Afdlin Shauki in Setiawangsa.

Others include deputy unity minister and PKR vice-president K Saraswathy in Bukit Bintang, Wangsa Maju MP Zahir Hassan, Batu MP P Prabakaran, Balik Pulau MP Bakhtiar Wan Chik, and Penang executive councillor Fahmi Zainol in Jelutong.

Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara offered a different take, saying the defeats of big names were less about performance and more about factional alignment.

“It’s likely that these figures lost not because of how they performed as ministers or MPs, but because of internal party dynamics.

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“PKR elections tend to focus on personalities and preferences, and those who lost may have been seen as too closely aligned with certain factions,” he said.

Azmi said party members are generally aware of which group each candidate is associated with.

“So, the losses could be linked to perceptions about certain individuals or figures within PKR who are unpopular. The defeated candidates may have simply been collateral damage because of their association with these individuals,” he said.