AMK: of Winners, Losers and Bystanders

At the time when PKR announced that there will be the first ever direct polls in selecting the party leadership, my focus went straight to the days after the winners are announced. Who will walk out? who will hold press conferences highlighting their 'grievances' and 'disappointment with the Leadership' and who will suddenly declare at that particular time that Anwar has lost it, or Anwar is unsuitable or Anwar is desperate.

Who actually wins was to me at least, not as interesting.

It is pertinent to note that at the point of registering their intent to contest, all these were non-issues. Every single candidate chose to praise the leadership, to be closer to those who, in their perception, could assist them in their campaign trail. So full of confidence were they and so faithful in the idea of direct elections that for the first week or so it would seem that PKR has made the correct decision. One eventually unsuccessful candidate even mentioned that 'PKR has finally walked the talk'.

And so it began, campaign was slow at the start. but it began to reveal itself as the days went by. Candidates suddenly found out that they were actually not bad at designing campaign posters using Photoshop (originally obtained or otherwise) and some resorted to old fashioned Windows Paint. Flattering pictures of themselves were posted after scouring through their old treasure chests, family archives and even the internet. and some of these pictures were too flattering we could not even identify them in real life!

It was like that Mahathir picture in the 90's when he refused to allow his current pic to be used and instead resorted to the 'sideburn' image of the 80's.

I was like, now we can have options! we don't have to depend on Enot and Zunar that much already as these creative minds churned out poster after poster and I have to really say that they are quite impressive.

There was also picture editing and preparation according to the various 'teams' or 'factions' that surfaced, no doubt to maximise their winning potential. There were the 'Pencerahan', the 'Team Reformasi' and later 'Reformasi 3.0'. It was like a huge party and everyone was invited!

Things took a turn for the worse after Shamsul Iskandar, the incumbent AMK head, chose not to continue his pre-planned strategy to contest for the Vice Presidency and instead opted to defend his post. Badrul Hisham Shaharin, the numero uno until that fateful day, were caught off guard. Many thought Shamsul (or "Sam" to all) was making a cowardly u-turn and Shamsul's previously undisputable charisma has now dwindled. All agreed that Badrul Hisham (or affectionately called "CheguBard") suffered unnecesarily.

This about turn did not bode well for Sam. Many supporters of both camps were miffed with each other. One saying that CheguBard should relinquish his aim and aim for Sam's deputy whilst CheguBard's camp were saying that Sam should not have the moral ground in AMK anymore.

Some aspirants withdrew, some decided to go for central positions and some were bona fide confused, like me.

Supporters of both camps created alter-egos to vent their frustration (especially in Facebook) whilst at the same time too afraid of identifying themselves. Accusations, both substantiated and hot air, were hurled to the extent of resorting to blistering personal attacks.

In the end, and as Sam is now the annointed AMK Head, calls for resolution and reconciliation were heeded, though many sour grapes still exist. Though 'twas like a frenzy, the competition in AMK never reached the level that had affected the Central Leadership elections; and though many threatened, none were dumb enough to follow Zaid's example to quit the party.

To us, the PKR loyalists and bystanders to the campaign, we congratulate the winners and the 'eventual winners' for your sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct. We were disheartened with the antics of certain candidates and supporters, but we are steadfast behind the Party and its Leadership.

We dream of the day when position and power does not plague the Party as it was during the Party's infancy. No one dared to contest anything and positions were 'awarded' rather than being fought over for. In fact posts were rejected and instead was referred to another person who, in the thought of the declining nominee, was much more able and committed.

We also wish that PKR will one day follow the exemplary conduct as shown by PAS, our partner in the Pakatan Rakyat coalition. Where posts were minimally contested but nothing except for good praises were hurled between candidates and supporters.

Finally as the dust finally settles, we have to accept the chosen leaders of AMK. No matter how we downplay their capabilities, their allegiance or personality, we have to believe in democracy and we have to believe that these chosen leaders are now the new faces of AMK and in the larger picture of PKR.

I pray that Allah SWT guide these newly appointed warriors and lead our charge for Putrajaya in the 13th General Elections. My Bai'ah (allegiance) is given to Shamsul Iskandar and the new leaders and I will do my utmost for PKR. REFORMASI!