PKR must remember its beginnings

Free Malaysia Today

25-05-2025

From Mahathir Rais
PKR is no longer shouting from the sidelines. Today, it holds power at the heart of the government and with it the burden to deliver.
With new leaders in place, the time to regroup has passed. What lies ahead is the real test.
Can PKR earn back the trust of the people who once believed in its fight for justice and reform? This is no longer about saving a party. It is about proving that the party still matters to the nation.
The party's internal elections are over and new faces have stepped up. But holding a title/position is one thing. Earning public respect is another.
The political landscape today has changed. People are tired. The cost of living is rising. Promises made before the election still feel far from reality.
So the real question is this: can PKR rise to the occasion to win back the people's trust and show that reforms are still alive, not just in name, but in action?
Beyond meetings and speeches, the real work is out there. Go to the ground. Talk to the people. Listen without any filters. Many feel disappointed. They feel that what was once a party of the people has grown distant.
If PKR wants to rebuild, it must return to where it began. That is where the soul of the party was born, and that is where it must be reborn.
The 15th general election was a warning. PKR lost several important seats to PAS.
That result did not come out of nowhere. It was a sign that something was wrong. Reclaiming those seats is not just about counting votes. It is about showing real ideas and plans that speak to daily life.
Malaysians no longer want slogans. They want something they can believe in.
Yes, the shift from opposition to government is hard. There are systems and barriers. But the rakyat do not want excuses. They want honesty. They want leaders to admit where things went wrong, explain what can still be done, and deliver on what was promised.
One thing stood out from the party election — big names, including some ministers, were voted out. That is not a crisis; it's a sign that democracy still lives within PKR.
People in the party are not afraid to choose change. That should be celebrated, not feared. Reform must begin from within.
Of course, there are always whispers about money politics, favouritism, nepotism and abuse of power.
These things damage trust. But they also serve as a reminder that power is not a prize. It is a responsibility. It does not last forever and can be taken back. The rakyat gave this mandate, and they are watching closely.
Even so, there is reason to hope. PKR is not short of future leaders. Young, capable individuals from across the country are ready to serve. The question is whether space will be given to them.
The party has talent. What it needs now is trust and direction. New voices must be heard, and old ways must be questioned.
More than anything, PKR must remember its roots. This party was not born in comfort but from the depths of struggle. It was carried by the voices of ordinary people who refused to give up.
If that memory fades, everything will be lost. We have seen what happens when parties forget the people. They lose their way and, eventually, they lose everything.
This is the Anwar Ibrahim era. But no single name can carry a cause forever. If this era is to mean something, it must deliver change that people can feel and see. That was the promise. That is the challenge.
The road ahead is not easy. But it never was. The real question now is simple: do PKR's leaders still remember why they began this journey?
If they do, the people may still be willing to walk with them.
Mahathir Rais is the former secretary of Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional's federal territories chapters.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.