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Plastic Chairs, Plastic Loyalty at PKR Meeting.
By Mihar Dias May 2026
In the past, political parties in Malaysia usually settled disputes with sternly worded memorandums, whispered betrayals in hotel lobbies and perhaps the occasional dramatic walkout to the mamak stall downstairs. Today, apparently, the preferred method is interior decoration warfare involving plastic chairs.
The reported melee at a Kuala Selangor PKR division meeting over a no-confidence motion against division chief M. Sivabalan feels less like democratic engagement and more like a deleted scene from a low-budget wrestling tournament.
One almost expects someone to emerge carrying a folding table with party logos stamped on it.
What exactly were ordinary members hoping to achieve? Political reform? Institutional maturity? Or merely the satisfaction of hurling RM18 worth of polypropylene frustration at one another?
This is the tragedy — and comedy — of modern ground politics in Malaysia. The leaders speak endlessly about governance, unity, multiracial harmony and institutional reform. Yet on the ground, branch politics increasingly resembles a condominium AGM after someone discovers missing sinking funds.
The absurdity is not merely the chairs flying. The absurdity is that everyone involved probably still believes they are fighting for “the rakyat”.
Somewhere between the slogans and the scuffles, political parties have quietly transformed into survival clubs for factional warlords. Every division meeting becomes a miniature Game of Thrones conducted under fluorescent lights with lukewarm curry puffs. Loyalty lasts precisely until the next party election, appointment list or photo opportunity with the president.
The irony for PKR is especially painful. This was once the party that marketed itself as the sophisticated alternative to old-style politics — the movement of reformasi, idealism and institutional dignity. Its ceramah crowds once spoke passionately about justice and democratic values. Now even internal meetings reportedly require the crowd control atmosphere of a warehouse sale.
Perhaps this is what happens when parties grow too dependent on personalities rather than principles. When charisma fades, what remains are camps, factions and increasingly creative methods of expressing dissatisfaction.
The no-confidence motion itself is revealing. In theory, such motions are signs of healthy democracy. In practice, Malaysian party politics treats them as declarations of civil war. Leaders who once demanded accountability from governments suddenly discover accountability is “divisive” when directed at themselves.
And so the grassroots members become restless. They see leaders preaching unity while practising exclusion. They hear speeches about empowerment while decisions remain concentrated among tiny inner circles. Eventually frustration spills over — literally.
One must also admire the symbolism of the plastic chair itself. Cheap, stackable, lightweight and easily replaceable. Much like political loyalty nowadays.
The old political culture at least had some theatrical elegance. Rivals poisoned one another slowly with rumours, strategic leaks and discreet betrayals over whisky in hotel lounges. Today’s politicians cannot even conduct factional warfare without looking like contestants in a community futsal dispute.
Meanwhile, ordinary Malaysians watching these scenes are left wondering whether these are truly the people preparing to govern a nation facing inflation, economic uncertainty and geopolitical turbulence. It is difficult to inspire confidence in institutional reform when your internal democracy ends with airborne furniture.
Still, perhaps Malaysians should not be too shocked. Political fragmentation is no longer the exception; it is the business model. Coalitions fracture, alliances mutate, loyalties evaporate and ideologies are recycled faster than campaign banners after elections.
The plastic chairs, in the end, are merely honest. Unlike political manifestos, at least they openly admit they are made of flimsy material.
Mihar Dias (mihardias@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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