Wan Azizah: Reviving second wave of Reformasi is difficult

(The Ant Daily) – PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, at the height of his political career as then deputy prime minister, was known to the people for his contributions to Malaysia as part of the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN).

His dismissal from the administration by former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 1998 and subsequent imprisonment for corruption gave rise to the “Reformasi” (Reformation) movement, turning him into an icon for fighting “injustices” within the system.

PKR president and Anwar’s wife Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is again called to duty to take over his political positions, appears well prepared to face new challenges in reigniting the sentiments that founded PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) leading to the Pakatan Rakyat coalition.

In an exclusive interview with theantdaily, Wan Azizah admitted that the younger generation may no longer share the views of Anwar held by the supporters of 1998 due to “ceaseless attacks” on his personal character.

“The older generation knew Anwar through his past contributions as a student leader, education minister and deputy prime minister. They had first-hand knowledge (about him).”

Also, Anwar became an instant icon for rallying against injustice after he was assaulted by then Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Rahim Noor while in police lock-up.

Pictures of Anwar’s black eye and swollen face became the symbol of injustice to Malaysians.

Anwar is still suffering from severe backaches due to the IGP’s assault which saw him being kicked and stomped. His back condition is still giving problems despite treatment in Germany immediately upon his release in 2004.

“But 16 years after (2014), the young generation’s knowledge about Anwar is ‘sodomy, sodomy, Indomee’, they don’t know who he really is,” she said.

Anwar is now appealing a five-year jail sentence on his second sodomy offence following the Court of Appeal’s decision to reverse his acquittal of the charge of sodomising his former aide, Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

He was also acquitted of a similar charge in 2004 and the lengthy trials of both cases have been used by his political enemies to discredit him.

Anwar’s first stint in prison had launched Wan Azizah into the frontline of national politics as PKR president and Permatang Pauh MP from between 1999 and 2008, before she vacated the seat to facilitate her husband’s return to active politics and also as Opposition Leader.

Asked whether her nomination as the PKR Kajang by-election candidate, once again to replace Anwar, is a deja vu, Wan Azizah said “yes”.

She also explained that the sense of deja vu was more personal when Anwar’s second sentence was read out on March 7.

“The déjà vu thing happened when the sentence was given; that really brought tears to my eyes because I thought they were going to take Anwar in again.

“It was reminiscent of 1998 when they stormed our house with masks and how they treated him like the worst ever terrorist,” she said.

The chain of events that unfolded immediately after the Sodomy II sentence, however, did not give her much time to grief as Anwar had on the same day announced his withdrawal from contesting in Kajang and a decision was made to nominate her instead.

“There was actually a discussion between the three parties and within the party as well. I was not present in the meeting because I thought it will be better for them to discuss other candidates, but then they came up with my name,” she said.

The speed in which she had to deal with the circumstances is also apparent from preparations made by PKR for her candidacy against BN’s Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, an MCA vice-president.

By the roadside leading to the PKR’s main by-election operation centre in Kajang, where this interview was held, several billboards promoting her candidacy were already up.

Kak Wan, as she is popularly referred to by supporters, wasted no time in appearing at ceramah and launched her manifesto.

Her resilience to adapt to the circumstances was almost immediately challenged when she had to ride pillion on a motorcycle to reach the nomination centre in Bangi on time.

“I held on to dear life. It was only my second time ever riding on a motorcycle,” she said, before later proudly showing off her campaign postcards with a photograph of her kicking a football, also for the first time.

The mother of six, however, said she had no regrets and expressed confidence of “support” from her team throughout the election campaign, with or without Anwar.

“Anwar remains part of the team and he’s still around so I think being ADUN (with his help) together we can work to increase the performance of the Selangor government.

“That is what we want because people are talking about second term and about faster paced (development), so I think it will be a great help,” she added.

Anwar’s entry into Selangor politics was also speculated to eventually facilitate his appointment as the new menteri besar to replace Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim but Wan Azizah remained coy when asked if there are any changes to the plan.

“I think I will soldier on and I think it is important for Malaysians that I partake in this exercise because I want to leave something for the future generation.

“I have gone through a good education I think, and given a bit of service and experience … so I guess it’s a national service,” she said.

Having been described as a mere “puppet” of Anwar by Umno leaders, Wan Azizah is again ready to prove that she is just as, if not more capable, of fulfilling her expected duties as a Kajang assemblyman and leader of the people.

And this, in essence, is what is needed to successfully revive the “Reformasi” movement — going beyond mere emotional rhetoric to gain public support and provide a good service to the people.

This interview was conducted by Alyaa Alhadjri and Cindi Loo.