KUALA LUMPUR — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim set a reflective tone for delegates at the 2026 PKR National Congress today, urging party members to reconnect with the people following recent electoral setbacks.
The PKR president who is also Pakatan Harapan chairman, said the party must learn from its weaker performance in recent elections, including losing control of the Negeri Sembilan administration.
“Our economic performance is good. All the economic figures are impressive. But we have not been able to capture the hearts of the people,” he said in his policy speech to officiate the congress at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) today.
“It is not the fault of the voters. It is our fault because we have not been effective enough in communicating, and perhaps there are still things that have not been completed,” he added.
Anwar said the government must improve its communication while better understanding the concerns and hardships faced by Malaysians at the grassroots.
“First, effective communication. Second, understanding the voices and suffering of the people at the grassroots,” he said.
He said it was not enough even if the government made economic achievements and gained international recognition, but the administration failed to connect with ordinary Malaysians.
“We have ASEAN… We have China as a great friend (and we) continue to trade and become engaged with the United States and the Middle East,”
“But is that sufficient? No. Why? We’re not able to connect effectively with our masses,”
He urged party leaders, ministers and elected representatives to listen to criticism and be prepared to make changes.
“Listen and be prepared to change. Not listen in order to respond and lecture.”
Anwar said the party should treat its recent electoral setbacks as lessons rather than a reason to abandon its principles.
“We have to learn from that experience. So, whatever happens, don’t forget our principles. We have to listen, but we have to make a firm decision,” he said.
Without naming names, he also made a plea to former loyalists and veterans, urging them to return to the party and help it carry out reforms.
“Otai-otai, otai-otai, please come back. My fellow countrymen who may feel a bit isolated, if there are any mistakes, I am sorry. Please come back to our struggle,” he said, using the slang word for old timers and long-time activists who had supported Anwar in the Reformasi days in the late 1990s.
Addressing complaints on his administration’s slow pace of reforms, Anwar defended the gradual approach, saying changes could not be implemented overnight without taking into account political stability.
He welcomed criticism of the government but added that should not negate the reforms already undertaken.
He also reiterated his commitment to Sabah and Sarawak, saying their demands must be treated as part of the national agenda rather than secondary concerns. Sabah Chief Minister and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor was present as a guest at the PKR congress today.
“This is the government that for the first time in history, does not see the demand for Sabah and Sarawak as a side demand but as the national agenda,” he said.
However, he acknowledged there was still room for improvement, particularly in fulfilling commitments under the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
Anwar also said the reform agenda should not be confined to PKR or any political party, but should involve NGOs, Islamic organisations and other groups working for the betterment of society.
The congress ends tomorrow, when Anwar and other leaders will give their winding up speeches. – August 15, 2026