Four years ago, we had modern Malaysia’s mother of all elections. It may seem an exaggeration, but it was an explosive fight between political parties and personalities.
We saw newbies and veteran leaders lock horns in 2018, resulting in some upsetting wins and losses. We also witnessed how winnable candidates were not always safe bets and crowd favourites without a seat.
Malaysia’s upcoming 15th general election may not be as explosive, mainly because it is in the middle of the monsoon season.
But with nomination day this Saturday, the mood has sauntered towards excitement again – some say for change, others say for stability, or even for maintaining the status quo.
The initial reluctance of a general election during the hazardous season is slowly forgotten, with many enjoying the mudslinging between politicians.
In the midst of it all stands one probable candidate. This amiable and modest figure has stood tall among some of Malaysia’s most pugnacious leaders and survived.
Unscathed, or not, is yet to be determined, but she will be a candidate closely followed on the campaign trail.
Enter Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail – a mother of five and wife of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
She is used to the limelight but previously as Anwar’s supportive partner, his pillar of strength.
Supporters held her in high esteem when Anwar, a former deputy prime minister, was sacked and convicted of sodomy charges before receiving a royal pardon in 2018. The episode painted Dr Wan Azizah as a grieving matriarch.
At 69, Dr Wan Azizah has seen and experienced a lot. She has held the title of wife of a prominent figure and Malaysia’s first female deputy prime minister.
If that alone does not hold water, the harsh criticisms and vile opinions she endured and dealt with since her husband’s incarceration certainly would.
If you ask Dr Wan Azizah in 1998 if she ever desired a ministerial post, the answer would probably be “never in a million years”.
Things change, especially in politics. Look at her now, still the same Dr Wan Azizah, but one who has been party president, MP, and assemblyman, to name a few.
Caught between warring male leaders when the country was at the pinnacle of change, Dr Wan Azizah emerged as the leader of a coalition who had won the hearts of Malaysians in GE14.
Call it what you may, but it was not an easy feat. Many would have given up, but Dr Wan Azizah pulled through, silencing naysayers and doubters along the way.
Pundits were quick to say her success was due to circumstances and those around her who propped her up and helped make it happen.
But in politics, luck and circumstances have always been a plus point.
After all, which politician can sincerely say they have done it on their own?
A good politician knows when to strike while the iron is hot. In Dr Wan Azizah’s case, she did what she had to do and did it well.
Dr Wan Azizah is Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) candidate for the Bandar Tun Razak parliamentary seat in GE15.
Kamarudin Jaffar won the seat in 2018, but he was among the 11 PKR MPs who shifted their alliance to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) in February 2020, which led to the collapse of the ruling PH coalition.
Former Selangor Menteri Besar, the late Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, a PKR member, won the seat in GE12 and GE13.
There are complaints about nepotism and cronyism within PKR, not just from opponents but also supporters.
The idea of Anwar, his daughter Nurul Izzah and his wife contesting in the election has been called out by certain quarters over the years.
There have also been calls for Dr Wan Azizah to step aside to make way for younger and more capable leaders.
The sentiment was quickly quelled by those who chose to see Dr Wan Azizah as her own person, not as anyone’s wife or mother, but as a capable leader who has made mistakes but is competent enough to do her job.
Prominent women political leaders support Dr Wan Azizah.
PH Wanita chief Aiman Athirah Sabu recently said Dr Wan Azizah possessed unique capabilities in today’s politics.
“Our community is suffering with many issues, and I believe she could help us from a humanitarian point of view, which is quite important,” Aiman was quoted in a Sinar Daily report.
She added Dr Wan Azizah had unfinished business, as she only served 22 months as deputy prime minister.
PH Wanita deputy president Chong Eng said Dr Wan Azizah has enough experience to contest the upcoming general election.
“She has gained a reputation and shown her leadership. She must be remembered for what she has done for the country, what she taught us, even my generation,” said the 65-year-old DAP politician.
Chong Eng said the agenda of women in politics is now mainstream, and when a woman stands up to speak, she will speak for women, children, the disabled, senior citizens, and the voiceless community.
Anwar, the opposition leader, highlighted recently that at least 30 per cent of PH candidates in the general election are women.
He said Pakatan’s presidential council had expressed hope that at least one-third of its candidates would be women, as the women’s wing is one of the coalition’s pillars of strength.
Of course, issues about female representation are not new. With Malaysia’s many capable female leaders, why worry about quotas? Judge them on merit.
Asking Dr Wan Azizah to step aside or to take the backseat is unfair, especially when she was around during the party’s most tumultuous times and a leader worth her salt.
Sacrifices in politics are customary, but why renounce a leader with much to offer? Beat her at the ballot box and see how it goes.
Malaysians love heartwarming stories as much as we love scandalous tales especially involving politicians.
These criteria have influenced how the rakyat views their ‘would-be’ representatives.
Dr Wan Azizah has an untarnished reputation and is respected by many from both sides of the divide.
Those who support these values see her as a figure that could represent Malaysia as she boasts a clean image, something that her male peers have steered clear of a long time ago.
With the opportunity given to her, we shall see what Bandar Tun Razak voters decide on polling day.
Despite being a PKR stronghold, the constituency will not necessarily be a safe bet.
Dr Wan Azizah is on her own. Backing down is not in her vocabulary.
If she wins, that will give her more credibility, yet again.
This is the personal opinion of the writer and does not necessarily represent the views of Twentytwo13.
