Malaysia’s opposition leader Wan Azizah has resigned her parliamentary seat of Permatang Pauh to make way for her husband, Anwar Ibrahim, former Deputy Prime Minister to return to the Parliament. It is a step forward for Anwar to seize power to form a new government this year.
Wan Azizah, who is also the unprecedented female opposition leader in the parliament of Malaysia history, said the decision was made after deliberating with her family, the party leadership and partners in the Pakatan Rakyat (People’s Pact). She had earlier submitted her official resignation to Parliamentary Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, to make way for her husband Anwar Ibrahim to contest as a candidate for People’s Pact in a by-election as soon as possible.
“This is consistent with our goals towards securing a parliamentary majority and forming a new government within this year,”
“This is the right decision for Malaysia,” said Wan Azizah.
She also commented, “The nation now faces some of the greatest challenges it has encountered since gaining independence. The UMNO-led Barisan Nasional government has mismanaged the economy and steered the nation towards a catastrophe. It has allowed the integrity of the justice system to fall into deeper infamy. It has stroked the flames of racism and driven a wedge of mistrust between Malays, Chinese and Indians, while thoroughly neglecting the needs of the indigenous peoples of Sabah and Sarawak.”
Attended the press conference were Anwar, PKR vice-presidents Azmin Ali and R. Sivarasa, Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai, her daughters Nurul Izzah Anwar (Lembah Pantai MP) and Nurul Hana Anwar.
Wan Azizah praised her husband, Anwar Ibrahim to have “articulated a vision for Malaysia that has brought hope to the people. He has the experience and intelligence to reinvigorate our economy, and the charisma and integrity to unite the Malaysian people and restore credibility to our institutions of governance.”
