‘Chaotic PKR polls a reflection of Malaysia Baru’s teething pain’
MIRI: The chaotic Parti Keadilan Rakyat ( PKR) election has been described as part of the `teething pain’ of a new Malaysia where reforms across the board cannot be achieved overnight.
United People’s Party ( UPP) Pujut chairman Bruce Chai, who said this, feels that only time will tell if the touted reforms would be successful, adding that the controversial PKR election – its first as part of the ruling coalition – should be viewed in the broader context of reforms sought in the new era.
“We must embrace these kinds of changes and adhere to the rule of law, clean governance, clean political parties and a civil society to ensure the Malaysia Baru vision is achievable. The problem has to be solved at the root; corrupt practices should be tackled,” he said, referring to the stinging criticisms by former Bersih 2.0 chairperson Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan against PKR.
Ambiga, who is a member of the Institutional Reforms Committee, took to Twitter to voice her disappointment in the party, saying PKR had lost the moral right to call itself a reformist party following an election marred by allegations of misconduct, violence, allegations of vote-buying, problems with the e-voting system and phantom voters – resulting in reports lodged with the police and Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission. Chai, however, said he viewed the exposing of the alleged wrongdoings in the PKR election positively, as it would allow action to be taken rather than being swept under the carpet.
“These happenings or allegations of wrongdoing should be looked at from a positive angle, as bringing them to light would enable appropriate action to be taken, irrespective whether it involves PKR, Bersatu or any other party,” he said.
He added that any expectation of overnight reforms in the country is `unrealistic’, and pointed to Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s recent acknowledgement that many civil servants were still stuck in the old system and not adhering to the new policies set by the Pakatan Harapan government.
“Any sort of reforms in times of change of regime or government cannot be achieved overnight. Anyone who believes that change can be done overnight needs a wake-up call,” said Chai.