Pkr Polls I Could No Longer Remain Just An Activist Fadhlina

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Since the early days of the establishment of PKR, activist and lawyer Fadhlina Siddiq watched from the sidelines, observing what was going on within the party. It took the betrayal of party members in the Sheraton Move to convince Fadhlina that it was time for her to become a party member.
At the time, Fadhlina had undeniably close ties with PKR through her late father, former Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim) president Siddiq Fadzil - a known close confidante of PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.
As a syariah lawyer, Fadhlina led the legal team representing Anwar in his past qazaf cases linked to false accusations of illicit sex.
She quickly rose up the party’s ranks. She was appointed to PKR’s women's development and legal bureau and later appointed as a Senator from Penang (term ends in 2024).
With a strong conviction for change, Fadhlina said she had offered herself as a candidate for the PKR Women chief position.
Joined PKR two years ago
“I only formally joined the party two years ago. Previously, I was an observer, supporter and activist since 1998. After the Sheraton Move I felt like I could no longer remain just an activist,” Fadhlina, 45, told Malaysiakini during a recent interview at her office in Shah Alam.
“What really made me feel I need to be in the party is a conviction that this party truly offers something for the future and gives me the confidence to continue the struggle that I believe in all these while.
“Be it social justice, people’s dignity or our struggle for the oppressed, this is a party that finally answers questions I had while being an activist,” she added.
The Sheraton Move in February 2020, which ended Pakatan Harapan’s 22-month stint in Putrajaya, saw PKR losing two top leaders - former deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali and former women’s chief Zuraida Kamaruddin.
Aside from several MPs who followed the duo’s lead to form an Independent bloc in Parliament, PKR also subsequently conducted an internal purge to rid its ranks of members accused of supporting those branded as traitors.
Offer herself as a candidate
Fadhlina said with the announcement that PKR would hold its party elections before the next 15th general elections, she made a decision to offer herself as a candidate to lead the PKR Women.
“I offered myself firstly to provide party members with an option.
“Aside from being a fresh face, I have important offers to strengthen the organisation, build the party and prepare the party for the next elections,” she said.
Fadhlina also said she is not campaigning as part of a team or ‘cai’ aligned with PKR deputy president candidates, Rafizi Ramli and Saifuddin Nasution.
“For me, the ‘cai’ system has in a way dulled the election process. They go to vote, there is a setlist, without room for the candidates to prove their capacity and their merit.
‘So, for me, going solo is an important improvement to give space for party members to choose based on merit, competence and they can personally listen to my offers for the party,” she said.
Going up against incumbent
Some 11,000 candidates are vying for positions starting from the deputy president’s post all the way to division and branch levels, according to Fadhlina.
At the end of the nominations period, Fadhlina was confirmed to be going up against PKR Selangor Women chief Rodziah Ismail, who is said to be part of Rafizi’s camp.
Throughout her ongoing campaign, Fadhlina said she has covered most states except for Terengganu, Pahang, Johor and Sarawak, each time met with a sense of “euphoria” from party members looking for individuals committed to serving the party.
The small number who resisted were justified in their views due to her relatively short time with the party said Fadhlina.
‘Ecosystem for women’
Fadhlina said part of her vision for PKR includes to set-up a structured support ecosystem for women, and dismantling issues including stereotyping, sexual harassment, discrimination and others.
“How the community sees these signs but yet fails to appreciate that women are qualified leaders.
“This is about mainstreaming gender, making sure that representation of women is truly meaningful,” she said.
“We will start within the party before entering the elections to support more women candidates,” she added.
PKR has set the bar for women in politics with the appointment of Pandan MP Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as party president while Anwar was imprisoned. After Harapan’s 14th general election victory, she was appointed the deputy prime minister under former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s administration.
Dr Wan Azizah Wan IsmailAt that time Wan Azizah also helmed the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, Fadhlina cited significant policy changes had taken place. She says that is something yet to be seen under the present administration with current Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rina Harun.
On issues raised as part of the women’s wing contests, Fadhlina noted discussions on broader subjects including the potential for future cooperation - a hotly debated topic under the “big tent” strategy first adopted during the 14th general election.
More than 1.2 million party members are eligible to vote online or physically in the election that is scheduled to be held from May 13 to May 18. - Mkini

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