PKR Infighting Deepens: Can the Party Save Itself Before It’s Too Late?
PKR, a party forged in reform and resistance, now faces a familiar demon—internal rupture. In its 25-year history, the party has seen wave after wave of breakups, none more damaging than the 2020 defection led by Azmin Ali. That split cost PKR the government, ended Pakatan Harapan’s first term, and exposed the leadership’s failure to act on early warnings.
Fast forward to 2025, and history is repeating itself. Rafizi Ramli—the man widely credited with crafting the winning strategy for Pakatan Harapan’s 2022 comeback—is out of the Cabinet and now joined by eight PKR MPs demanding a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into alleged political interference in judicial appointments. Instead of dialogue, the party is threatening suspensions.
2020 infighting
In 2020, the leadership put its trust in Azmin and paid the price. Today, it risks making the same mistake with Rafizi, who once defeated Azmin for the party’s No. 2 post. The irony is bitter: a key architect of PKR’s revival is now being cornered as a threat.
PKR cannot afford another implosion. The party must act—urgently and decisively. A special meeting is needed to engage the dissenting MPs, hear their case, and seek resolution. If that fails, firm action should follow. Suspension without engagement will only escalate the crisis.
Yes, even if these MPs leave, Anwar Ibrahim’s hold on power may survive—his coalition still commands enough support. But PKR will be left weaker, fractured, and increasingly irrelevant if it continues down this path of denial.
The time to fix the cracks is now. Or risk watching the house collapse—again.