The Malaysian Insight

PKR Youth chief Akmal Nasir’s leadership qualities rest on his capabilities to improve youth development, and not the number of such programmes, his supporters said today.

Defending Akmal from criticism hurled by a rival faction in the wing, they told The Malaysian Insight that he is also “big-hearted” and “more open” when it comes to dealing with different opinions.

Penang PKR Youth chief Fahmi Zainol said Akmal’s detractors are wrong to judge his leadership qualities based on the number of programmes organised by the wing and the turnout at these events.

“Using (the number of) programmes (held) as a yardstick is not correct. It is very subjective.

“It is best that we see how the grassroots are moving, like what Akmal is doing. For example, in Penang, our grassroots programmes are running as usual. We don’t publicise them. We just promote them on social media.”

He was referring to accusations by those aligned with the wing’s deputy chief, Hilman Idham, that Akmal is a poor leader and has failed at his job.

PKR Youth is embroiled in a proxy war between camps backing the party’s No. 2, Mohamed Azmin Ali, and vice-president Rafizi Ramli.

The divisions were made clear in the last party elections, which saw Rafizi challenging Azmin for the deputy presidency. Their supporters, too, battled it out at every level of the polls.

Rafizi was said to have PKR president Anwar Ibrahim’s backing.

Azmin retained the deputy president’s post, and many in his faction secured leadership positions.

However, in the Youth wing, Rafizi’s man, Akmal, defeated Azmin ally Dr Afif Bahardin by fewer than 100 votes.

Akmal then appointed those affiliated with him and Rafizi to the wing’s leadership line-up, leaving Hilman as the sole Azmin backer.

In the latest incident showing that all is not well in the wing, and PKR as a whole, Anwar issued a warning against certain PKR Youth leaders over a lavish breaking-of-fast event hosted by the wing.

He also apologised for the event, which featured songs and fireworks, and was likened to a carnival.

The event was organised by Hilman, who defended the decision, and has plans to organise a similar one in Johor.

Selangor PKR Youth chief Najwan Halimi urged the wing’s leaders and members to end their bickering and work together to gain grassroots support.

“It is also unfair to judge the team just six months into their tenure. As for Akmal, I see him as being committed to holding meetings, despite having a busy schedule as an MP.

“He is also aggressive when it comes to bringing up national issues affecting youth. He does not downplay the grassroots’ views. Meetings continue to be held, and we still have discipline in the organisation.

“He is also big-hearted as he does not pick people based on factions,” said the Kota Anggerik assemblyman, who also contested the Youth chief’s post in the last PKR polls.

He said the wing’s deputy chief should play a bigger role to secure grassroots support.

“If Akmal is seen to be less aggressive at the grassroots level, this is where his deputy should step in. We need to be focused and move forward as a strong, united team.”

The Malaysian Insight has learnt that the root cause of the troubles plaguing PKR Youth is the Hilman faction’s lack of cooperation with Akmal.

“They just don’t want to cooperate. They don’t attend meetings, and even if they do, they are late,” said a wing central committee member.

“We can say there are at least 10 such leaders who are in Hilman’s camp. They have their own pact, with their own way of doing things in the wing.” – May 29, 2019.