Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail
SHAH ALAM: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah said the party had moved far away from being called a mosquito party, to a party that formed the current government.
Dr Wan Azizah, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said since its inception in 1999, PKR has gone through many challenges and had succeeded in overcoming them, growing stronger, and eventually succeeding in changing the government.
“We survived the odds,” she told a press conference after delivering her policy speech as party president before officiating the 13th PKR National Congress here today.
PKR proved the influence of the party in the 14th General Election (GE13) when it had the largest number of elected representatives in Pakatan Harapan (PH), namely, 50 Members of Parliaments as well as 70 state assemblymen throughout the country.
Earlier in her speech, Dr Wan Azizah, who was also known as Kak Wan, who choked and shed tears, called on members of PKR to remain reformers, fighting for the rights of the people as early in the setting up of the party which only struggled in the streets.
The delegates also held up banners with the message ‘Thank You Kak Wan’ and chanted ‘reform’ repeatedly.
Asked about her feelings when delivering her speech, Dr Wan Azizah said she recalled the PKR members’ struggle during the 20-year establishment of the party.
“It gave me a little bit of emotional feeling because of what we have gone through. Maybe it’s part of the price that we have to pay for the change of government, but it is also something that I am proud of.
“But tears sometimes can be because of joy, because I released my position and responsibility to a party that I feel has come to this level,” he said.
Dr Wan Azizah was the first president of the party which was formed in 1999 under the name of Parti Keadilan Nasional (Keadilan) while the president-elect, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would officially assume the post tomorrow after winning unopposed in the PKR election this time.
PKR combined with the Malaysian People’s Party (PRM) led by Dr Syed Husin Ali to form Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) in 2003 but was only approved in 2004 by the Registrar of Societies.
In the 11th General Election in 2004, PKR won only one seat through Dr Wan Azizah in the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat in Penang.
Commenting further on the party’s struggle, she said many reformists did not receive nor do they expect any rank or reward for their efforts.
“Since 1998, they have struggled for the party while earning a living for their families. Today, after the party has won and formed the government, they still return to their villages and stalls, struggling to survive. So, serve them fairly.
Dr Wan Azizah, who is affectionately known as ‘Kak Wan’, noted that the party is in the best position since its inception. Nevertheless, she reminded members not to let the lure of rank, power and materialism to obscure the foundation of their struggle and the party’s policies.
“Remember, this power, rank and position is a test for those of us at the top. The power and position we have are due to the struggle of every grassroots member, and our party is not made of the strength of one or two among us.
“Without those who are in front of us (ordinary PKR members) who are we at the top?” she asked, and reminded the delegates that arrogance will kill the idealism of the struggle.
She said it is important for all members to work based on the idealism and principles of justice as best as they can, as well as make PKR respected and feared by opponents.
Dr Wan Azizah said she accepted each and every challenge that came her way during the 20 years of helming the party, and that despite her shortcomings, had tried her very best.
She also advised the winners of the party elections to carry out their duties well, and not sideline those who have lost.
The 13th Congress will also witness the unveiling of the party’s new leadership line-up tomorrow, with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim set to be named president after having won unopposed.
Anwar became an MP after winning the Port Dickson parliamentary by-election in a seven-cornered contest recently.
A total of 2,735 delegates, including the party’s top leadership, are attending the congress which began with the meetings of the party’s Wanita and Youth wings yesterday.
– Bernama