Malaysia’s political landscape has undergone drastic changes since 2018.
The last PKR polls was conducted on the heels of an election victory in the 14th General Election (GE14), when the PH coalition – in which PKR is a linchpin – defeated BN and marched into Putrajaya.
However, the PH government crumbled barely two years later following the defection of 11 PKR MPs led by Mr Mohamed Azmin Ali, who had won against Mr Rafizi in the fight for the deputy president post in the 2018 party election with a two per cent margin.
PH also suffered a string of defeats in snap state polls and by-elections since GE14.
The BN coalition, led by the United Malay National Organisation (UMNO), clinched more than two-thirds of the seats at the Melaka and Johor state polls recently.
However in his speech, Mr Anwar maintained that PH has the opportunity to win back the confidence of voters if it remains steadfast to its principles.
He highlighted that many Malaysians are embattled with various issues such as unemployment, rising cost of living and an economic crisis, under the current government led by Mr Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who is from UMNO.
Mr Anwar also acknowledged that PH and PKR have to address certain weaknesses before the national polls, and this includes bringing their political message into rural areas and the Malay heartlands.
“Yes I acknowledge this. God willing, when we meet next, the new leadership, together with other PH leaders, we will aim to correct this,” said Mr Anwar.
Mr Anwar also maintained that he would have been Malaysia’s prime minister if he had acceded to requests from “corrupt leaders” to interfere in their court cases in 2021.
The Port Dickson MP told party delegates that he had a majority of MPs who backed him to become prime minister by signing statutory declarations.
In September 2020, Anwar announced that he had secured “strong, formidable and convincing” support from MPs to form a new government.
However, in his speech on Saturday, Mr Anwar revealed that he was forced to back down after he was asked to give assurances to key figures in BN and UMNO that he would discontinue their court cases.
“I said I cannot do that. I didn’t apologise and I told them, ‘Thank you, we will face each other at the next general election’,” said Mr Anwar.
“Some have said that Anwar is done. He keeps on failing (to become prime minister).
“If you want me to be successful, but I have to lick the boots of the corrupt, then choose another president,” he added, to loud applause from party delegates.
The three-day PKR congress concludes on Sunday, with both Mr Rafizi and Mr Anwar slated to give wrap-up speeches.