PKR branch chiefs proposed as election candidates to build grassroots ties

A proposal has been put forward to nominate PKR branch chiefs as candidates for the upcoming general election, aiming to foster stronger ties with the electorate and solidify the party's presence at the grassroots level. The suggestion, made by Federal Territories PKR chief Datuk Afdlin Shauki Hassan, emphasizes the importance of giving these leaders sufficient time to build trust and demonstrate their effectiveness.

"My proposal is somewhat radical: name the agents, the branch chiefs, as candidates for the general election," Afdlin Shauki stated during the PKR National Congress in Melaka. He argued that if these nominated candidates fail to perform within a year, they can be replaced. However, he stressed that initial nomination is crucial for them to "do their work, gain the trust of the people, and perhaps get help from those who want to help."

Afdlin Shauki highlighted that the relationship between a party and its constituents cannot be built in just a few months before an election. He believes that trust requires continuous effort and cannot be manufactured at the last minute. "We have to ask people every day, 'Brother, are you okay? Uncle, are you okay? Auntie, what are you lacking?' That's what we need to do," he explained, illustrating the need for persistent, on-the-ground engagement.

He further noted that branch chiefs are often the closest individuals to the community, serving as coordinators for local issues, from fallen trees to internet problems. Afdlin also suggested that PKR needs to improve its internal communication before effectively winning the narrative among the public, emphasizing that communication involves listening as much as speaking, from central leadership down to the grassroots members.