In a move that has stirred more controversy than support, PKR Women secretary Sangetha Jayakumar recently initiated a digital campaign aimed at reviving Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s declining public image. Her attempt, however, appears to have backfired as party insiders and the public question both her motives and timing.
Sangetha, daughter of former PKR vice-president Dr. Xavier Jayakumar, had reportedly sent out messages to fellow PKR members via WhatsApp to rally support for what she described as a grassroots initiative. The campaign, focused on social media engagement, sought to highlight the Prime Minister’s global credentials and paint him as a principled statesman who has boosted Malaysia’s international standing.
She suggested that the initiative had the endorsement of PKR Women chief Fadhlina Sidek. However, Sangetha’s role as Fadhlina’s special officer in the Education Ministry further complicated perceptions, prompting critics to view her actions as more self-serving than sincere.
Rather than gaining traction, the campaign received a wave of criticism—particularly among party loyalists disillusioned with the current direction of the Pakatan Harapan government. Many see Sangetha’s efforts as an attempt at excessive flattery rather than a genuine political strategy. The underlying sentiment among critics is that trying to salvage the Prime Minister’s image through curated narratives does little to address the real grievances voiced by the public.
Observers highlighted that the backlash stems from more than just her method. Recent political missteps—particularly the handling of the judicial appointments—have left many questioning Anwar's credibility as a reformist. While the Prime Minister has insisted on adherence to procedure, critics argue that this stance ignores the public’s growing demand for ethical leadership and adherence to the spirit of the law.
Sangetha’s attempt to rehabilitate Anwar’s image was therefore seen not only as ineffective but potentially insulting to public intelligence. The broader sentiment is that image management cannot substitute for genuine reform, and any meaningful recovery in public trust must begin with action—not orchestrated praise.
With trust in the Madani administration continuing to wane, the campaign inadvertently amplified public dissatisfaction rather than mitigating it. The question now isn’t how to rebuild the Prime Minister’s image—but whether the damage has already gone too far.
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