Why has PKR collapsed so rapidly after its 2018 rise?

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PKR's Rapid Collapse After 2018: A Convergence of Factors

The Malaysian political party PKR has experienced a dramatic decline in influence and electoral success following its dominant position in 2018. This rapid collapse can be attributed to a confluence of factors, including a singular focus on achieving the premiership at the expense of organizational strengthening, internal power dynamics that led to significant departures, and a structural over-reliance on its paramount leader, Anwar Ibrahim. The party now finds itself in opposition, seemingly lacking fresh ideas and facing an existential crisis.
Focus on Leadership Ambition Over Party Development

Following Anwar Ibrahim's release from prison in 2018, PKR held a commanding position in national politics, with its president serving as deputy prime minister and party members occupying numerous ministerial and key governmental roles. However, the narrative suggests that Anwar's primary ambition was solely to secure the prime minister's office. This singular focus, it is argued, diverted attention and resources away from essential party-building activities, such as reinforcing the party apparatus and laying a groundwork for long-term political dominance. Consequently, the party may have neglected more mundane but crucial governance tasks.
Internal Strife and Key Departures

The period after 2018 saw a gradual move towards a "reckoning" within PKR, as elements within the party sought to leverage their parliamentary numbers to attain the highest leadership position. This internal dynamic is described as a "slow annoying chokehold" on the ruling Bersatu. The situation culminated in what is termed an "unparalleled act of political suicide" when Mahathir Mohamad stepped down, a move seen as an attempt to spite an old adversary. This political drama, lasting four years and consuming significant national attention, is presented as a backdrop to PKR's subsequent decline. The departure of Azmin Ali, described as the most powerful party man to ever leave, is highlighted as a significant event, with ongoing speculation about further defections, underscoring the depth of internal fissures.
Over-reliance on a Single Leader

A central argument for PKR's predicament is its structural problem of being beholden to its sole, supreme leader, Anwar Ibrahim. The party and its leaders at all levels are depicted as being subservient to him, to the extent that dissenting voices are not openly expressed on the party's official platforms. This over-dependence on one individual is seen as stifling the party's ability to evolve and adapt. The analysis suggests that Anwar is unlikely to step down voluntarily, believing in his own destiny, and that there is a lack of internal willingness or courage to ask him to depart, prioritizing his ambition over the party's broader aspirations for the country.
Electoral Setbacks and Diminished Influence

The consequences of these internal dynamics and strategic choices have manifested in severe electoral setbacks. The article points to a specific instance where, after vote counting on March 12, PKR was left with only one assemblyman in a state legislative chamber of 56 seats. This drastic reduction in representation is presented as evidence of the party's "demolition" and a stark indicator of its diminished influence. The author posits that if such a "Johor debacle" is not met with wholesale change, Pakatan Harapan, of which PKR is a component, may face an election outcome from which it cannot recover for a decade.

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Why has PKR collapsed so rapidly after its 2018 rise?

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