PUTRAJAYA, Nov 25 — PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli addressed the party's women and youth congresses this morning by cautioning delegates about their opponents' “divisive” tactics, but said it could be countered by steely "idealism”.
He said current PKR members face a different challenge than those of the reformasi period. Now a ruling party, he alleged members face forces that will mostly tap interracial tension and socio-economic frustration to obtain power.
“In a situation when we are the ruling party facing a tough economic test, all the opposition needs to do is instigate people's dissatisfaction,” Rafizi, who is also economy minister, said in his speech.
“So that is your challenge,” he added.
He noted that most of the hundreds of party's women and youth members present are of the post-reformasi generation.
Today's congress is PKR's second since the Pakatan Harapan lynchpin took power just over a year ago and comes on the heels of a public survey by independent pollster Merdeka Center showing lower ratings for the ruling party’s president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Over half the respondents that rated Anwar poorly did it out of frustration with high living costs.
PKR leaders, including Rafizi, said they are not too worried about the latest poll results.
The PKR deputy president told reporters after officiating the two wings' congresses that ratings naturally fluctuate and it could go up again.
The economy minister also said the previous three prime ministers had lower ratings.
When addressing delegates, Rafizi urged party members not to be shaken or rattled by public criticism or attacks from the opposition.
He said PKR is a party founded on pro-people ideals, and that it was also voted into power twice because of them.
This idealism, he asserted, will be the anchor that shapes PKR's goals in the face of mounting attacks.
It will also, the party number two added, determine if the PKR would remain in power.
“So I am asking you here what is the idealism that made you join this party? That question is a question that is fundamental.
“If that idealism is not nurtured and preserved well believe me ladies and gentlemen party will come and go,” he said.
Anwar was sworn in as Malaysia’s 10th prime minister on November 24 a year ago, after GE15 resulted in a hung Parliament that forced PH to form an alliance with the Umno-led Barisan Nasional coalition and two other political blocs from Sabah and Sarawak that are ideologically opposed to each other.
The move, while giving Anwar a strong majority in Parliament, has forced PH to compromise or forgo many of its key reform pledges, observers said.
