Sparks are already flying after nominations on March 29, and smear campaigns already ongoing or continuing against some candidates, even before they can start to campaign on their merit or as PKR once vowed, on principles and policies.
One wonders if the party that calls for open debates with BN will also feature debates between candidates and if it is really going to practise what it preaches in policy-based campaigning.
Deputy president Azmin Ali is on record as loathing open debates between candidates, preferring to keep "internal party matters" under wraps.
"We can settle it internally. This is not about competition but who has something to offer. All candidates offer something," he reportedly said.
"This matter is not for the media to judge but by party members themselves. This is not the general election but party election. We will not allow Utusan Malaysia, TV3 or other media portals to decide," continued Azmin, explaining his reluctance.
This, however, runs counter to PKR's self-declared commitment to transparency and as the party is gunning for national leadership, its top leaders and the ambitious candidates should be transparent to the public in general and not just the party.
This brings about the ugly possibility that the party itself is not really interested in transparency. Either that or it has things to hide.
And apparently, the incumbent deputy president's seeming discretion is not shared by supporters of those throwing their hats into the ring, maybe even some who are in his corner.
In full swing now are smear campaigns, some in what ironically can be seen to be in concert with politically owned tabloid-size print media and its character killing exclusive breaking news articles.
PKR supporters of some candidates have been sighted on Twitterjaya, the blogosphere and other social media engaging in psychological warfare and indirect campaigning with spurious wit and saintly aplomb.
Coincidentally, Azmin's rival for the party number two post Selangor MB and new kid on the PKR block, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, was one of those hit with allegations that he was outwitted by a property developer in a state land deal.
Aspersions were also cast on the nature and timing of the deal, that not only demeans his business savvy but integrity too.
Previously, the same one-two knockout combination of tabloid-size politically owned media character killing article and insinuating tweets have been used to highlight the domestic issues of a party leader.
Some say the attack had effectively knocked the leader out of the deputy president’s race, though the same leader is defending a current post.
Another contender for a top party post was also hit with scandal over allegations of not paying for paintings supposedly bought from a national laureate.
The allegation surfaced soon after her nomination as candidate. While the issue seems to have corroboration, its timing smells complicit.
The conduct of some of those who tendered their candidacy is also in question, for example incumbent vice-president Tian Chua who is not only defending his post but had also thrown his hat into the crowded deputy presidential race.
His post-identity crisis notwithstanding, Tian Chua also seems to be engaged in horse trading holding a press conference to say he might be willing to withdraw from the party’s No 2 race and not denying that he is also not discounting eyeing the secretary-general’s post.
Observers have questioned Tian Chua's actions in running for both posts and seemingly eyeing the secretary-general’s appointment, asking him to focus on what he really wants.
It is possible he is looking for a deal with outgoing secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution who is also running for deputy president to trade off him pulling out from the party No 2 post for the latter's support for his vice-presidential run or secretary-general aspirations.
While it is the democratic right of party members to contest, it should be a serious affair and not one for horse trading and games.
But regardless of the flying sparks, party strategist Rafizi Ramli once remarked that PKR is a party forged in the crucible of street marches and reformasi.
And after the pitched battles for posts in the party polls, they will link arms again in unity despite bashing each other’s heads during the campaigning.
True or not, it is important to note that Rafizi's street party nostalgia aside, a party that has preached that it is the new hope for politics and governance in Malaysia should show better examples than just engaging in what is business as usual in politics.
By Hazlan Zakaria, The Ant Daily
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