Dust yet to settle after bruising PKR polls

NURUL Izzah Anwar’s nickname in PKR is "Princess" although for a long time she was simply "Izzah" to almost everyone in the party.

Those unfamiliar with PKR politics call her "Nurul" without understanding that she has four sisters whose names also carry the "Nurul" prefix.

Since winning the deputy presidency, many in PKR had begun referring to her as "kak long" or elder sister. They think she deserves a respectful designation as someone who is on her way to the top.

A Selangor party official said "kak long" also has a down-to-earth ring to it, just as "kak Wan" has settled beautifully on her mother Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

The "Princess" nickname came from her reputation as the Puteri Reformasi but the more sardonic use it to denote the sense of entitlement often seen in offsprings of important people.

Social media is still unkind to her but "kak long" is stepping it up after being rather invisible for a couple of months after her victory over Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli.

She recently spent several days in Sabah where she delivered spirited speeches at PKR constituencies. The party won only two seats - Inanam and Api-Api - in the 2020 Sabah election and the next one will be her first big challenge as the new deputy president.

PKR is said to be eyeing the chief minister post and has a suitable candidate in the wings but the party is considered a lightweight in Sabah and will have to win more seats to claim the big prize.

"She said our priority has always been about people and reforms and that we need to work hard and win more seats to have a bigger say in the government," said Najwan Halimi, a state executive councillor from Selangor who is assigned to help out in Inanam.

PKR has failed to establish a strong foothold in Sabah under its former state chief Christina Liew but there is now a new chairman Mustapha Sakmud who is younger and more energetic.

But Najwan said that many Sabahans like Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s no-frills and approachable style.

Pakatan Harapan has anchored itself to the ruling coalition Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) in the election although the tie-up may not be as beneficial as expected given the fierce backlash from the Zara Qairina Mahathir tragedy.

It is unclear how GRS and Pakatan plan to moderate public opinion crying out for Justice for Zara Qairina given that the blame game also targets Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek who is PKR Wanita chief.

Meanwhile, Rafizi continues to eclipse Nurul Izzah when it comes to speaking up on issues. He is a cut above many of the leaders in PKR. Even those who find him annoying, admit Rafizi dealt a killer blow to Umno when he exposed the National Feedlot Corporation or cow-and-condo scandal involving the family of then Wanita Umno leader Tan Sri Shahrizat Jalil.

"A split after a big party contest is nothing new in politics, it’s a process that every party goes through. I don’t think Rafizi is trying to get sacked. His aim is to stay relevant until an opportunity arises for a comeback.

"He is not a general without an army. He has seven MPs openly standing by him and I suspect there are several more in the background. Better not mess with him," said political commentator Khaw Veon Szu.

Some in PKR do not like what Rafizi is doing but ordinary people see it as a necessary check-and-balance on the government.

The storm from the party election has blown over but the dust has yet to fully settle.

"We are making efforts to close ranks," said Najwan, who is Shah Alam PKR division chief.

Najwan’s win over a big name, Rodziah Ismail, in Shah Alam was one of those "kepala tanpa badan" or head without a body incidents. Rodziah lost while her entire line-up trumped Najwan’s line-up.

Some committee members boycotted the first division meeting called by Najwan. But Najwan paid a moving tribute to Rodziah, describing her as a friend who will always be one of the PKR family.

"I will never forget how she guided me in my first general election in 2018 when I contested in Kota Anggerik," he said as those present thumped the table in approval.

That helped heal the wounds and the next meeting called by Najwan saw a full attendance.

One of the reasons why the dust from the PKR election has yet to settle may have to do with the fact that not everyone is convinced Nurul Izzah has what it takes to lead the party when Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim completes his third and final term as president. Her defeat in Permatang Pauh is a stain on her record and she will have to prove herself as the party’s No 2.

At the same time, many in the party also did not think that Rafizi would have made a good president after Anwar - at least, not yet. Rafizi is terribly clever but lacks that certain maturity needed in the complex world of politics and is too thin-skinned.

Anwar’s personality is unparalleled and it is simply impossible to find anyone in PKR who can fill his shoes. As is often said: If not Anwar as Prime Minister, then who else?

The alternatives are less than impressive, unsuitable and even unpalatable. As such even though Anwar is far from perfect, he is the perfect option for now.

Anwar’s strength has come to rest on his foreign affairs maneuvers and his big moment is around the corner at the finale of the Asean Summit.

His chief political secretary Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin recalled the twists and turns in the last few months.

"I must admit that I was worried by how the Turun Anwar rally dominated the headlines in July. But two days later, the focus shifted and my boss was hailed for steering the negotiations on the Thailand-Cambodia crisis.

"Then his phone rang in the morning when the 13th Malaysia Plan was to be tabled in Parliament. It was President Donald Trump himself calling to acknowledge Malaysia’s role in easing the border conflict. Hours later, came the announcement of reduced US tariffs on Malaysia," said Shamsul.

Shamsul’s point is that his boss is a fighter who does not crumble under pressure.

"Resilience is what defines Anwar Ibrahim - he does not break, no matter how strong the storm," said Shamsul.

Anwar’s larger than life presence especially in PKR is both boon and bane. He holds the party together, he makes PKR appear steady even though that may not be the case.

But what will happen to the party when he is no longer president?