Multiracial PKR

Multiracial PKR

Posted by Raja Petra

Monday, 10 March 2008

Leaders say its multiracial character was a key factor that helped the party increase its seat tally in Parliament from one to 31 By Zakir Hussain & Zackaria Abdul Rahim, THE STRAITS TIMES PARTI Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) has become the largest opposition party overnight, one that its leaders insist will represent all races. The party led by Permatang Pauh MP Wan Azizah Wan Ismail went from having just one parliamentary seat - hers - after the 2004 election, to 31 seats on Saturday, across eight states. It also made inroads in states not traditionally associated with the opposition, such as Selangor, where it won 15 state seats. 'I will help the Malays, but it will be done justly, and in the same breath I will help the Indians and the Chinese,' party adviser Anwar Ibrahim said in an early morning news conference yesterday. He said the results exploded Malaysia's race-based political structure, under which parties have traditionally represented individual ethnic groups. 'The opposition that has been voted in is a truly multiracial party. It is a fantastic set-up,' he said. Datuk Seri Anwar said he felt 'truly vindicated' by the massive vote of support. 'Going forward, Malays, Indians and Chinese all have to work together and make us a formidable force,' he said. The party was formed in the wake of his fall from grace 10 years ago as the Parti Keadilan Nasional. It merged with the smaller Parti Rakyat Malaysia in 2003. It drew support from former supporters of Datuk Seri Anwar in Umno, but was striking among the opposition parties in its appeal across racial lines compared with the Islamist PAS and the Democratic Action Party (DAP), seen largely as a Chinese party. 'We are doing pretty well; that shows our agenda and vision are endorsed and supported by the people,' said PKR information chief Tian Chua, 45, who won the Batu parliamentary seat in Kuala Lumpur by 9,455 votes. 'When you rule for too long, corruption and all other things come in,' he added, noting that it was a nationwide swing of disaffection against the ruling coalition that had propelled PKR to victory. The PKR's multiracial nature was a key factor in this sweep, he claimed. 'We can appeal to all the different races in this country.' PKR candidate Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, however, felt the party had also focused on core issues the public was concerned about: rising costs of living, crime, and the lack of economic competitiveness. Said the 26-year-old who won the Seri Setia state seat in Kelana Jaya, Selangor: 'I think these issues somehow struck a chord with the public and translated to PKR's performance.' Already, the party plans to drop 37-year-old policies giving Malays preference in housing, education and jobs in Selangor, said its secretary-general and Selangor's likely menteri besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim. Voters who swung away from Barisan Nasional came from all races, including Malay voters in urban areas, noted Mr Nik Nazmi. He said being a multiracial party alone was not enough. 'You have to be well-versed with the sensitivities of Malay Muslims and non-Muslims as well,' he said. He added: 'If we focus on the public interest rather than party interests, this election's results can be a launch pad for a stronger showing in the coming 2012 or 2013 elections.'