PKR’s New Democratic Constitution endorsed by Delegates
June 13, 2009
PKR delegates back bold amendments
by Tarani Palani @www.malaysiakini.com
Anwar Ibrahim and Jonson Chong
PKR delegates at the party’s extraordinary national congress today gave their stamp of approval to major constitutional changes after four and a half hours of “lively debate” held behind closed doors.
According to party communications director Jonson Chong, 1,064 representatives from all states, as well as those from the youth and women’s wing, “voted overwhelmingly in favour of change and democracy”.
“After an emotional vote-counting process, the votes in favour of the reforms numbered 941, with 103 against and 9 abstentions,” said Chong at the end of the one-day special meeting which was held at the Selangor International Islamic University in Bangi.
Among the key amendments are:
* Direct elections for divisional and central leadership positions.
* Change of terminology for divisions and branches (from ‘bahagian’ to ‘cabang’, and ‘cawangan’ to ‘ranting’).
* Implementation of a policy of 30 percent involvement of women in all levels of the party’s leadership.
* Reduction of the age limit of the Youth wing to 35.
Chong said that the delegates voted in favour of all the amendments “en bloc”.
What the delegates say:
Marlina Abdullah, 47, Setiawangsa, Federal Territory
I agree with the amendments. Every member can have a say in electing the party’s leader. We also agree with the 30 percent leadership positions for women. After all, women play a strong role in the party as well.
As for the youth wing, I feel some people who are between 35-40 who are still with the youth wing may find the amendments a little difficult.
Abdul Hamid Ali, 58, Larut, Perak
These amendments are good. It does make the party more liberal and democratic. Also anyone can vote for the top leadership.
The 30 percent leadership positions for women is also a good thing.
Shaharudin Tanip, 63, Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang
These changes are good as they will propel the party even further. If we just have the branch leaders elect the top leadership, you may get different factions here and there. But if everyone can vote, it will help curb money politics, as it will be difficult to buy everyone’s votes.
Furthermore, grassroot members know who does the job and who does not (in the top leadership)
G Muniandy, 41, Gerik, Perak
These changes are good. I don’t think there will be displeasure in the youth wing with regards to the lowering of the age from 40 to 35. If they put the party’s interest first, there should be no problems.
Very positive development, especially with the limitation of terms for the presidency and direct voting.
Kudos to PKR, bro. Anwar and kak Wan for having the courage to really bring on the paradigm change, so eagerly anticipated by all true Malaysians!
Menyalak-er - June 13, 2009 at 8:36 pm
This is really a very significant progress for a political party in Malaysia. Congrats!
How about the PR side reform, which is also key to strengthen the opposition and two-party system? How about some experimental primary election on selected constituency where the support of PKR, DAP, or PAS are equally strong? We might learn, through real-world experiment, how to strike at the center to win votes.
Shiou - June 13, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Yes indeed. PKR believes that democracy must start in its own house. Now they have to show that it really works. But as with all constitutions, PKR’s too is a living document which will change over time as the situation warrants.
matt - June 13, 2009 at 11:19 pm
Demokrasi bermula dari rumah.
Itulah harapan dari para perwakilan dan ahli ahli PKR yang telah meluluskan pindaan perlembagaan yang begitu demokratik. Pemilihan Presiden dan pucuk pimpinan pusat dipileh oleh ahli ahli dan bukannya dari para perwakilan.
Jawatan Presiden ditetapkan hanya untuk tiga penggal iaitu selama sembilan tahun bagi seseorang penjawat. Ini untuk memberi peluang pada pemimpin lain untuk menjawat jawatan tersebut. Dengan mengurangkan had umur dari 40 tahun kepada 35 tahun bagi Angkatan Muda (AMK) adalah satu tindakan yang bijak kerana akan dapat mengurangkan penjawat jawatan tersebut begitu lama. Dengan ini akan dapat melahirkan lebih ramai pimpinan AMK.
Mohd Noor Haji Jaafar - June 13, 2009 at 11:48 pm
Failure to win control of the federal government is not due to any dysfunctional aspects of the structure of the party or coalition but simply because elections were rigged. What we are going to continue to see in Malaysia would likely be no different than what we are seeing in Iran.
For as long as elections continue to be rigged, for as long as elections are a sham Malaysia is unlikely to see change.
There is a silent Malay majority whose voice is not heard in the mainstream media nor over the blogosphere. It would appear that they prefer the stability of the status quo to the instability and uncertainty that change brings.
The Malay intelligentsia may not be with the ruling party today but it would require a deep seated fundamental shift in the thinking among ordinary Malays if it is to translate into change at the top. The waning support of the Malay urban middle class may not be enough.
The current global recession and the consequent and continuing contraction in the country’s GDP, and the trial of Anwar Ibrahim admittedly will go some way in setting up the stage for it, but will it be enough? It will take the widespread and acute suffering of ordinary people (read: Malays) to break the cycle of boom and bust both economically and politically, to tilt the scale in favor of the opposition.
Meanwhile life goes on for the average Malay – the office worker, the factory worker, the farmer and rural dweller. The battle for their hearts and minds looks set to continue beyond the next general elections. Many are just still not convinced by the rhetoric of their leaders.
A little rigging here and there during elections should do the trick.
Mr Bean - June 14, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Well said Bean, that’s why the ‘markas’ of PR must infiltrate the rural and semi-rural areas of the Peninsula now, or forever hold their peace/piece. It seems that they’re attempting to do so, but the southern states seen quite intractable.
Malacca,Trengganu and Negri might swing next time around. Johor and Pahang will remain ossified, except for mixed constituencies.
The bugbear will remain East Malaysia, where their ‘minds’ are still dependent very much on tribal and feudal largese. Vote rigging is not new, and i hope the PR guys will remain cautious.
Iran seems to be a theocracy where the Law of Imams is supreme – never mind God’s Decree.
Menyalak-er - June 14, 2009 at 11:21 pm
You got it wrong twice, Menyalak-er. It should be ‘forever hold your piss.’
Mr Bean - June 15, 2009 at 2:53 am