Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)’S Reform and Governance in Malaysia

Abstract

This article examines the political trajectory and governance performance of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) during its two tenures in federal government: the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration (2018–2020) and the Unity Government (2022–2024). PKR, born out of the 1998 Reformasi movement, has long positioned itself as a multiracial reformist party challenging Malaysia’s entrenched ethnic politics. However, its time in government raised critical questions about the extent to which it upheld its reformist ideals in the face of coalition constraints and realpolitik. Utilizing centripetalism and reform theories, the study draws on qualitative data including elite interviews and document analysis to assess PKR’s institutional behavior, reform strategy, and ideological consistency. The findings reveal that while PKR maintained its reformist rhetoric and inclusive ethos, its reform delivery was diluted by internal fragmentation, elite resistance, and coalition bargaining. The study contributes to understanding the strategic dilemmas faced by reformist parties in plural societies and underscores the challenges of translating ideals into policy in coalition-dominated governance.