Lately, I’ve been seeing a lot of talk about a digital campaign to “defend” Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s image. If you’re in any political WhatsApp group, you probably came across it too. It was apparently led by Sangetha Jayakumar, the daughter of former PKR leader Xavier Jayakumar. She encouraged supporters to take to social media and stand up for Anwar repost, reshare, speak up.
On paper, it sounds like a pretty modern, strategic move. After all, image is everything these days, right? Politicians aren’t just leaders anymore; they’re content creators too. And in that sense, this campaign fits the times.
But here’s the thing: a lot of people including those inside PKR didn’t buy it. Instead of rallying support, it left many feeling awkward. It came across as staged, even a bit desperate. Some called it “apple-polishing” or a forced display of loyalty. And honestly, I get why.
Because the problem isn’t really Anwar’s image it’s something deeper. There’s a sense of disconnection in the air. People are frustrated, struggling, and unsure about where this government is going. And no amount of retweets is going to fix that.
We Don’t Need Optics. We Need Substance.
Let’s be real: Malaysians are tired. We’ve gone through years of political drama, and now we’re dealing with rising costs, stagnant wages, and an uncertain future. A digital campaign to “polish” a politician’s image feels tone-deaf when people are figuring out how to pay next month’s bills.
That’s why this whole episode felt off. It’s not that people don’t support Anwar or don’t appreciate his legacy. Many still remember his long, painful fight for reform. But reform isn’t about posting graphics and hashtags. It’s about action. People want to feel that something is improving in their lives not just see it online. We’ve seen the promises, and we’ve seen what’s actually being done or more accurately, what hasn’t been done. The cost of living continues to rise, institutions remain shaky, and the everyday rakyat are left navigating broken systems while leadership stays comfortably distant. Whatever image you try to create of him now as a global statesman or reform icon it won’t work unless it is backed by bold reforms, transparency, and decisions that truly reflect the rakyat’s struggles. Malaysians are not waiting for charisma; they’re waiting for courage, clarity, and delivery.
If anything, this should be a wake-up call for PKR. Real leadership can’t be manufactured through social media. It’s built through trust, presence, and delivery.
Go Beyond the Screen: Be Present on the Ground
The most powerful thing a politician (or a political party) can do right now is to show up where it matters.
Not in press conferences, not in viral reels but in neighbourhoods, food banks, community halls. People need to see their leaders organising food aid, helping youths find jobs, supporting single mothers, mentoring small business owners. These are the moments that restore faith.
And to be fair, this is the kind of work PKR used to be known for. Back when Reformasi wasn’t just a slogan, but a movement grounded in people’s everyday struggles. That spirit needs to be rekindled. The party must empower its grassroots to lead again not just follow top-down instructions.
From Social Media to Side Income: Support Real Hustles
Let me share something I’ve been noticing. More and more Malaysians especially homemakers, fresh grads, and young people are turning to online side hustles. Selling cakes on Instagram. Giving tuition through TikTok. Running small e-commerce shops on Shopee or WhatsApp.
This is real. This is how people are surviving. And political parties, if they’re serious about helping, should be jumping in to support.
Don’t just talk about “digital economy” in speeches. Teach people how to market their products, set up online payments, shoot good product videos, track sales. These are life-changing skills. You want to empower the rakyat? Start there.
Why Grassroots Still Matters
There’s something powerful about showing up in your own neighbourhood, listening to stories, and solving problems one by one. That’s what grassroots politics is supposed to be. And in a time when people are cynical about politics, that connection means everything.
Even Sangetha’s campaign flawed as it might be showed there’s still energy among the younger generation. Her recent appointment as Wanita PKR secretary could become more than just a title it could be a catalyst for meaningful change. This position gives her a real opportunity to channel that digital energy into practical, people-driven solutions. If she uses the platform to build programmes that uplift women, connect youth to job skills, and champion issues like mental health and online safety, she could redefine what leadership looks like for a new generation.
What’s more, Sangetha was also appointed in 2024 as a member of the Port Klang Authority (PKA) board of directors an institution responsible for overseeing Malaysia’s most important port. This isn’t just another GLC seat; it’s a serious post with huge implications for trade, logistics, and national infrastructure. The PKA itself was once seen as a political dumping ground during the BN era where cronies were rewarded with plum roles. In 2018, Pakatan Harapan promised to end that. So let’s be honest: reintroducing political appointments now even under new faces raises legitimate concerns.
If Sangetha truly wants to break that cycle, this is her chance. Don’t let it become just another stepping stone for political branding. Use the PKA seat to push for transparency, innovation, and thoughtful, SME-friendly port policies that actually remove the red tape and help small local businesses export and import goods more efficiently. Champion low-cost warehousing, digitised customs clearance, better access to port-related financing for small traders, and ensure micro-entrepreneurs have a voice at the table. Malaysia’s economy thrives when small businesses are treated as partners not as an afterthought. These are the reforms people will remember, and the kind that build trust from the ground up. And yes demand fairer procurement processes too. And let’s be blunt if we keep replacing cronies with cronies in new packaging, we’re not reforming anything. We’re just playing musical chairs with taxpayer trust.
So Sangetha, here’s a call: you’re in a unique spot. If you believe in Anwar’s reform message, live it. Lead boldly, serve humbly, and show that a political appointment can actually deliver public good. Because if this is just another campaign move to prove loyalty and secure future rewards, the rakyat will see right through it. And they already are. But that energy needs the right direction. Not just online campaigns, but real programs, real help, real heart.
PKR, and others like it, need to stop relying on top-down messaging and start listening again. Trust your local organisers. Support the youth. Empower the women on the ground. That’s how you rebuild a movement from the bottom up.
In the End, It’s Simple
Politics doesn’t have to be complicated. People want to feel seen, heard, and supported.
If PKR or any party really wants to restore trust in leadership, it’s going to take more than Canva posters and WhatsApp chains. It’ll take time. Sweat. Presence. Service. We need to stop thinking about “image” and start focusing on impact.
Because the next election won’t be won on likes or shares. It’ll be won on whether people believe, deep down, that you’ve been there for them when it mattered most.
Annan Vaithegi, Columnist | Writes on Social Justice, Democratic Accountability & Grassroots Reform
Annan Vaithegi (annanvaithegi@icloud.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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