Bersatu must win middle-class, urban support to replace PKR

The Malaysian party Bersatu must prove its ability to attract support from the middle class, urban communities, and voters prioritizing institutional reform if it aims to replace PKR, according to former PKR Vice-President Tian Chua.

Chua stated that it is a challenge for Bersatu, led by former Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, to build confidence that the party can consistently champion reform. He questioned whether Bersatu possesses an organizational strength comparable to PKR.

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The issue is not whether PKR disappears or not. The question is whether this 'mouse deer' party is capable of replacing PKR as a genuine voice for reform as promised by Rafizi.

"The issue is not whether PKR disappears or not. The question is whether this 'mouse deer' party is capable of replacing PKR as a genuine voice for reform as promised by Rafizi," Chua told Utusan Malaysia. He added that if no party can fill PKR's space, middle-class voters, non-Malays, and urban residents currently supporting Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's party will continue to back PKR to ensure their voices are represented in Malaysia's political arena.

Rafizi had previously predicted that PKR faces a significant risk of disappearing after the Anwar era if it maintains its old bureaucratic structure and fails to reform, suggesting PKR's focus is too centered on Anwar's political survival. Chua, however, believes Rafizi is contradicting himself. "If PKR lacks credible leaders, why did he leave the party? Wait for the post-Anwar era, and he can take over leadership with supporters within PKR," Chua explained.

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If PKR lacks credible leaders, why did he leave the party? Wait for the post-Anwar era, and he can take over leadership with supporters within PKR.