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(NST) ALMOST a decade after its founding, Parti Keadilan Rakyat is finally taking baby steps to become less beholden to its father-figure, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
PKR, born after the former deputy prime minister's sacking from Umno and the government in 1998, no longer wants to rely so heavily on the icon who is called its Ketua Umum, or general leader, both in internal matters and inter-party relations in the framework of the Pakatan Rakyat, which includes the Islamist Pas and secular DAP. Party leaders possibly came to their senses following disquiet over an Anwar-centric syndrome in decision-making. The leaders, it seems, realised that it was not healthy for the party to revolve around Anwar, thus the need to introduce organisational reforms from the ground up. Reforms are needed to remedy weaknesses, lest the party sees the 1.5 million votes it garnered in 2008 swing to the other side of the divide at the 13th general election due in 2013. Dissenting voices have expressed unhappiness that major decisions in Pakatan Rakyat are always subject to Anwar's approval, thus delaying progress. They are calling for the party to delegate decision-making to able and trustworthy personalities. Some of the party faithful also complained of poor networking at the branch, division and state levels, expressing fears of poor organisation against a resurgent Barisan Nasional at the next general election. "BN would by now have learned the lessons of March 8. PKR, together with Pas and DAP, must be prepared to face a more combative enemy," a critic said. Another concern of party supporters is the public perception that the PKR lacks leadership among its parliamentarians and state assemblymen, some of whom have not been playing their roles as proper Yang Berhormat due to their being "a somebody from a nobody". They also want PKR, as the biggest party in Pakatan Rakyat with 31 seats, to position itself as the strongest component in the loose coalition. Anwar's close aides insist their boss is not oblivious of the shortcomings in the party, officially led by his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. It is with his blessing that a review of the party's structure is now being undertaken by a small team headed by its secretary-general, Datuk Salehuddin Hashim. The team has been ordered to make PKR a model of good governance, responsive to its enlarged membership and the expectations of all Malaysians. PKR's membership has exploded to a claimed 500,000, with the recent influx of 12,000 from Sarawak. The reorganisation, which promises a more focused and efficient party machine, is expected to be completed by the next party congress. A more systematic PKR is also being prepared for the state elections in Sarawak, widely expected to be held next year. Inputs are anticipated from delegates attending its two-day national congress from today after Dr Wan Azizah sets off the party's agenda in her ninth presidential address before some 2,000 delegates. PKR loyalists should use the opportunity to make their call for reformasi within the party heard.
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