PETALING JAYA: Political analysts have observed that only a handful of major parties have well-defined leadership succession plans, while the rest remain constrained by dynastic politics.
Iseas–Yusof Ishak Institute senior fellow Dr Syaza Shukri said DAP stands out among mainstream parties for having a clearly articulated succession plan.
She said what was once seen as the “Lim dynasty” has evolved in recent years, particularly after veteran leaders Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng stepped aside.
“Besides party secretary-general Anthony Loke, they have others, such as Hannah Yeoh. The election of the current central executive committee also shows an intentional shift towards new leaders,” she
told theSun.
Syaza said by contrast, PKR once had a viable succession trajectory, with figures such as former deputy presidents Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, but its current leadership dynamics appear more dynastic.
“With Nurul Izzah Anwar as deputy president, it looks dynastic and it is hard for others to come into the picture. PKR has someone like Johor Bahru MP Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, but it is unclear if he is being groomed for succession,”
she added.
The International Islamic University Malaysia political analyst also said as for Umno, another key component of the Madani government, the picture is even more uncertain.
“They talk about the need for younger leaders but we do not see active efforts. Former president Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak’s dynasty is not firmly established nationally and Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar is out.”
Syaza added that PAS leadership remains anchored in its ulama-based structure.
Even with the rise of younger voices, such as Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, it is unlikely they would overtake senior figures, such as the party’s deputy president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, any time soon, she said.
Focusing on PKR, Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Prof Azmi Hassan said the party lacks a clear succession plan, especially compared with Umno, which has multiple
vice-presidential figures seen as “prime minister material”.
“PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is already 78 years old. Most probably, this would be his last term as prime minister.”
He questioned whether Nurul Izzah is ready to take the helm of either the party or the country.
“She is too young. The next in line should be the deputy president, which is Nurul Izzah. But again, she is too young. The next in line I think is Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, but he is only a senator and does not hold any critical position in PKR.
“So, it is difficult to say he will be Anwar’s backup.”
Azmi argued that because PKR lacks a strong leadership pipeline, the next prime minister after Anwar may not come from PKR at all but from Umno, whose vice-presidents and deputy president are seen as credible contenders.
The Umno deputy president is Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan while its vice-presidents are Pahang MB Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
