Vital to stand as a strong coalition

Unity pact requires consensus to resolve issues, says Wanita PKR chief

PUTRAJAYA: It is important to ensure the unity government stands strong as a coalition, and all its members must be defended until the end of its term, says Fadhlina Sidek (pic).

During her winding-up speech, the Wanita PKR chief said that the strength of PKR alone does not solely anchor the unity government.

“It is important for us to ensure that unity government is a strong coalition,” said the Education Minister.

She said this requires a high level of consensus to resolve issues.

“We are not only negotiating with one or two parties, but there are many parties in this pact which we must defend until the end of our term,” said Fadhlina.

She also called for delegates’ understanding, patience, and commitment.

“The formula of the unity pact is that of negotiations, consensus and coalition,” she said.

In her speech earlier, Fadhlina said the target of making sure 30% of the candidates fielded in elections were women was still far off, as only 12% of the candidates fielded in the recent state elections were women.

“Although there are several initiatives to increase the agenda of women representatives in Parliament to 30%, there are several factors which contribute to the lack of women representatives in Parliament and state assemblies, including the political ecosystem and political parties themselves,” she said.

She said it was important for women representatives to ensure better policies to protect women, children, and senior citizens, including gender-based policies.

“The party leadership must continue to be committed to ensuring that Wanita PKR has representatives in elections,” she said.

A total of 475 delegates attended the Wanita PKR Congress, which also featured the wing’s top leaders.

The party’s congress started yesterday with the Wanita PKR and Angkatan Muda Keadilan congresses.

Meanwhile, in his winding-up speech, youth chief Adam Adli Abdul Halim said PKR is a party that encourages its leaders to learn from one another, and differences in opinion are celebrated so that every leader can improve themselves.

“Some of us might have more experience than others; let’s learn together. Don’t be arrogant and avoid fierce competition,” he said.

“Differences in opinion and stances are healthy in this party, and we will not stop that.”

Adam said the newly launched Akademi Keadilan Rakyat (Akar) was an initiative to ensure adequate training for all members to create quality party members.

Over 1,200 delegates and observers attended the PKR’s Youth and Women’s National Congress.

The attendance consists of 126 PKR divisions across the country.

This is also the first party congress held after PKR chief Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s appointment as the Prime Minister on Nov 24, 2022.

The party also marked the 25th anniversary of the Reformasi movement in September.