Dr Wan Azizah's 20 years legacy will always be remembered

SHAH ALAM: Twenty years ago, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail was just a housewife who, by twist of fate, has become a reluctant politician due to the situation that hit her family.

Fighting for justice for her husband Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim following his dismissal from the government and UMNO in September 1998, and then followed by the 'black eye' incident, her involvement in the ‘Refomasi' (reform) movement in 1998 had brought changes in the country's political landscape that we all witnessed today.

Despite going through various obstacles and political turmoil that may have escaped other woman's imaginations, Dr Wan Azizah defiantly stayed with the supporters of the reform agenda and struggles through the Parti Keadilan Nasional in 1999 ( then changed into Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) in 2003).

It was a bittersweet success for her 20 years of tireless struggles against various political defamation that challenged her maternal instincts, that led to the Pakatan Harapan (PH)'s victory in the 14th General Election (GE14) that saw the end of the Barisan Nasional's 61-year rule on May 9, this year.

Yesterday, after helming PKR since 1999, Dr Wan Azizah delivered her last presidential policy speech at the 13th PKR National Congress as the president of the largest component party in PH, with membership reaching 850,000.

“I have been trying my best to lead this party, please forgive all my mistakes. Today I hand over the Parti Keadilan Rakyat at its best position in its history to be led by a new leadership,” said Dr Wan Azizah.