PKR can no longer rely just on core supporters, says KJ

Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said PKR seemed to be in the ‘twilight zone’ over the implementation of reforms. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: PKR and Pakatan Harapan can no longer rely on its core supporters to remain in power, says Khairy Jamaluddin.

The former Umno Youth chief said the coalition needed to also win over the right-wing Malays who were currently backing the opposition.

In the latest episode of the “Keluar Sekejap” podcast, Khairy said if PH and PKR failed to woo over the Malays, it would continue to depend on Malay-based parties like Umno and PAS to form the government.

“PKR cannot win elections on its core supporters alone, which have become stagnant. They need to woo the right-wing supporters in the opposition or they will only be able to form a unity government like the one now.”

Earlier this month, PKR vice-president Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad told Malaysiakini that PH should not abandon its ideals and risk losing its core supporters in an attempt to win over the opposition voters.

Nik Nazmi said that PH would never be able “to out-Malay” PN.

Meanwhile, Khairy also said that PKR seemed to be in the “twilight zone” when it comes to implementing reforms and this could result in the party further losing some of its core supporters.

The former Umno Youth chief said that the Anwar Ibrahim-led party was facing a dilemma in pushing for reforms it promised after forming the unity government.

He said implementing reforms seemed to have taken a back seat.

“I think they (PKR) are in the ‘twilight zone’ now. The reformist spirit is not the priority at the moment.”

The former health minister also said that if PKR continued to remain as it is, the public would no longer see it as a reformist party.