Latest news with #Awang Azman Pawi
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
PKR has ammo but is too rational and cautious, says analyst
Former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli has called for a more aggressive political strategy if PKR hopes to secure victory at the next general election. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : PKR has the resources to mount an aggressive campaign for the 16th general election but lacks narrative control and is too cautious in its messaging, says an analyst. Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya said the party has capable leaders, visible achievements and ample attack material against the opposition. However, he said PKR relies heavily on rational, technocratic messaging that fails to resonate emotionally with voters, and fears that aggressive attacks will be perceived as 'anti-Malay' or undignified. 'If PKR truly wants to use a hybrid approach, it must deploy aggressive but disciplined spokespersons, control the narrative across mainstream and social media in a coordinated way and attack and counter-attack, not just defend. Awang Azman Pawi. 'For the general election, PKR must understand that it can never be purely defensive. Defence without offence cannot win the perception war,' he told FMT. Awang Azman was commenting on former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli, who urged the party to adopt a more aggressive political strategy if the party hopes to secure victory in the next general election Rafizi said the party's approach should involve combining showcasing government achievements with exposing the opposition's weaknesses. 'Rafizi's suggestion is right, but ironically, he is partly to blame for PKR's sluggish political narrative,' Awang Azman said. Unhelpful statements while in government, such as 'the government is not a subsidy machine' and 'minimum wage fuels inflation', also hurt the party's image. He said PKR should have gone on the offensive much earlier. International Islamic University Malaysia political analyst Syaza Shukri said past elections showed the risk of relying on a single strategy. Syaza Shukri. She said Barisan Nasional's 2013 campaign failed because voters didn't feel genuinely cared for despite development promises, while Pakatan Harapan's 2018 win combined attacks on 1MDB with a unifying change narrative. In 2022, Perikatan Nasional's surge showed that values, morality, and identity politics still resonate deeply with Malay voters, she said. 'So, for GE16, it's all about the balance of showing and not just telling us about the government's achievements, but also thinking of a narrative about values that could unite Malaysians,' she said. 'We should not underestimate that Malaysians are looking at more than just development. That reminds us why 2013 was not a good year for BN too.'
Free Malaysia Today
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Umno's future in unity govt hinges on power consensus, says Puad
Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi said Umno's strategic move to join the unity government had given the party time to rejuvenate itself. PETALING JAYA : Umno's future role with the unity government is likely to hinge on negotiations to achieve a consensus on policy decisions and on the powers of the prime minister, says Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi. In a posting in response to an analyst's claim that Umno would need 10 years to rise again, he said Umno's rise meant a return to political dominance and holding the prime minister's post. Puad said he had predicted it would take Umno 20 years to achieve that aim from the time Barisan Nasional (BN) lost power in 2018. 'Seven years have passed, leaving 12 years, two more than the 10 suggested by analyst Awang Azman Pawi,' he said. He said Umno had wisely made a strategic decision to be part of the unity government, formed in 2022. 'Being in the unity government has given Umno room to breathe and rise again,' he added. In the remaining time of the 12-year timeframe, Umno must legitimise its participation in the unity government, as many grassroots members remained wary of the alliance with former political rivals, he said. 'Umno must dominate the national narrative and strengthen its wings. Umno's ministers must be seen to perform,' he said. Looking ahead, he said a decision on whether to continue with the unity government would depend on expanded political cooperation in achieving policy consensus and negotiations on the powers of the prime minister. He did not elaborate. However, Umno leaders have in the past sought a greater say in the decisions of the unity government. Yesterday, FMT reported Awang Azman as saying that the Umno-led BN would need 10 more years to recover its grassroots support before the coalition is capable of going solo in general elections. 'In the long term, Umno will want to be the main player in alliances instead of just supplementing other parties,' he said, adding that dominance was almost a part of Umno's identity. Puad said in response that Umno would contest the general election under the BN logo but continue to cooperate with Pakatan Harapan to ensure no overlap of seats.
