SHAH ALAM: After more than two decades spearheading a reformist movement which ultimately became a political force to be reckoned with, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail today tearfully said goodbye to PKR as its party president.
In her last policy speech as the party’s official top leader today during its 13th congress here, Dr Wan Azizah reminded members to continue holding on to PKR’s reformist ideals and honour those who had made huge sacrifices during its early days, when the party was known as Parti Keadilan Nasional.
She recalled the day her husband, now PKR president-elect, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, was thrown into jail and the hardship endured by her family and friends.
PKR, known as Keadilan, took root circa 1998 after Anwar was ousted as deputy prime minister by his former boss Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad following allegations of sodomy and abuse of power.
“This is my last speech as the party president. Now, listen to what I have to say.
“Idealism and the reformist agenda must be continuously held and strengthened. Do not forget that we are reformists from a reformist party. We fight for the people’s rights and against falsehoods.
“We must honour and appreciate those who had fought for us since 1998. They were fired from their jobs, turned bankrupt for failure to service loans used to aid the party, insulted, maimed and jailed.
“But they continued to stand against a cruel government. Many have left us too, to the hereafter. These reformists do not care about rewards or positions.
“Please treat them justly. Do not go astray due to power and positions.”
Despite criticisms from outside and within the party, Dr Wan Azizah managed to lead PKR and gained significant traction through pacts with opposition parties then.
She also spoke of a time when Anwar was sent back to jail again over another round of sodomy allegations, and some party members who had deviated from PKR’s course.
“They used terse words (to describe nepotism against Dr Wan Azizah and Anwar)... such as ‘Bukit Segambut Palace’ (their home), ‘a political party held by family members’ or ‘Anwar’s time is over’.
“We were hurt. But we accept the fate set by God, if that is the price of a struggle.”
Ironically, PKR is now at its best political performance after forming an alliance with Dr Mahathir’s Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia in Pakatan Harapan, the anti-thesis of Barisan Nasional.
After PH’s victory in the 14th general election, Dr Wan Azizah was appointed as the deputy prime minister, alongside Dr Mahathir who returned as prime minister.
Notwithstanding their acrimonious past, Dr Wan Azizah today expressed her utmost support for Dr Mahathir’s leadership of PH and the government.
“PKR maintains its stand to fully support Dr Mahathir as prime minister, and Anwar as the 8th prime minister.
“PKR is now at its best position. Please continue to fight for the people. We must be different from the previous regime.
“Do not let the people cast similar aspersions and say that we ‘are no different from the previous government.”
Dr Wan Azizah also expressed hope that the party’s new leadership elected by the party members in its recent polls stand united and shoulder their new positions with utmost responsibility.