PR is a tripartite coalition comprising PKR, DAP and PAS. It has been able to capture the imagination of Malaysian public due to its inclusive policies and promising young leaders. PR’s popularity was evident following its major victory in 2008 in which it managed to deny the ruling party BN its customary two-thirds majority in parliament. The opposition coalition once more managed to deny BN its absolute electoral victory last year. Without Sabah and Sarawak, the ruling coalition risked of losing the government.
Since 2008, the people’s expectations of PR are high because it sets a very high standard of governing. It promises to establish a better Malaysia by providing its citizens freedom, equality and justice. Swelling support for PR — especially from the urban, professionals and young — electorates — comes amid BN’s decades-long rule that has been marred by inefficiency, lack of transparency and abuse of powers. Despite Prime Minister Najib Razak’s effort to transform the country, many people are still unconvinced due to BN’s lack of resolve in fulfilling many of its reform promises. Ardent PR supporters are not giving up hope yet while the undecided public are keeping a close watch on the opposition coalition’s performance in Kelantan, Penang dan Selangor. While Kelantan and Penang remain relatively stable, Selangor is not due to the persistent leadership struggle within PKR. The leadership crisis in Selangor does not look good on PR as it runs counter to the coalition’s boastful “demi rakyat” (for the people) rallying point. The people are asking: if indeed PR is serious about uplifting the people’s well-being, why isn't the PR leadership helping the embattled Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim to solve Selangor’s pressing domestic problems? Why the move to remove Khalid when Selangor is in dire need of a leader?
While it is PKR’s prerogative to appoint and sack its own leaders, the manner in which Khalid was removed from the party was highly questionable. It is not enough for PR to explain the reason behind Khalid’s sacking in a single rally alone. The Malaysian public — those seeking a better alternative to BN — deserve to know the answer as to why Khalid was unceremoniously removed from the party. The main questions which PR really need to answer are: if Khalid was sacked on the ground of integrity, were there any proofs to back up the claim? And if indeed Khalid needed to be replaced due to his sheer incompetence as Menteri Besar, why was he not given ample opportunity to prove himself that he has strategies to get Selangor back on track? Did he fail as Menteri Besar during his first term of office? And, why must Khalid be removed in haste?
Even though Khalid is still legally the Menteri Besar, he is in danger of losing legitimacy in the event of PAS, PKR and DAP withdrawing their support to the former corporate captain in the legislative assembly. For observers and experts alike, the Selangor leadership crisis can only be solved through a vote of no confidence. Khalid might lose all the support in PKR but it does not mean that he has to step down as Menteri Besar without evidence of Khalid losing support from Selangor’s elected representatives. PR is answerable to the people who elected it to power. Is a snap election possible? Yes, but it is the most risky move for PR to take as there is no guarantee that the coalition can win in Selangor again. PR is deeply divided over the crisis and the public are getting weary. It is possible for the frustrated public to shun from voting as they did during the Kajang by-election as some are getting tired of political drama staged by self-serving politicians. As in the case of Selangorians, they want the state’s domestic issues to be solved fast. Even if the scheme to remove Khalid is successful, PR has a lot of work to do to regain the eroding public confidence.
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