EXCLUSIVE: Nurul Izzah speaks to R.AGE about reforming Malaysia – Nation

The most crucial moment was the night of my father's arrest, September 20, 1998. I was never forced to face a real gun pointed at my siblings (before that). I was scared, but I was more angry than anything else. Outraged that this could happen against an innocent man.

I told myself that there was no way I could let them dictate my life through fear. (19659002) Suaram and Abim (The Muslim Youth Oragnization of Malaysia), by the country time 2008 cam, it was an awakening of spells. It made me realize that politics is an important vocation, and you can really fulfill your ideals through it.

You have referred to yourself as a "reformist". What does it mean to you, and how do you think we can achieve it?

When you talk about reforms, you need to be better time, it is the political system, to ensure there is sufficient check and balances; having a working opposition which exists alongside the government of the day, or whether it is the judiciary. Remember, the choice of judges, the appointment of the judges – 1965, 1965 progress. Who could imagine that TV3 or RTM would give coverage to many of us who were basically blacklisted for so long? But does it mean that we are not going to be able to make a difference?

So there are many things to me that are important moving forward, but reforms must be the basis on which we perform our work and fulfill our responsibilities.

Politicians can come and go, but long-lasting institutional reforms would be the bulwark to protect you against transgressions from anybody.

Prime Minister's Office (PMO) is a Leviathan of Spells. It basically swallows every branch and branch of governance.

There is no need for sufficient checks against the possible excesses of the PMO.

What do you think about political participation among the youth in Malaysia?

Of course, you can always see the world improve, but an 82% turn-out rate on election day is something to be celebrated. If many of the young people did not turn out, then we would not see the change we are enjoying today.

And the process is not easy, mind you, to be part of the electoral roll. It's not like in America where you can immediately register and vote on the same day – no way, jose.

Was there a time during election day, or when?

It was the first time I brought my son Harith with me. We were keeping tabs of the results and ballot boxes as they were coming in. We were in Permatang Pauh (her constituency), of course.

I told Harith to check the scores, explained to the audience, the number of seats, which party is contesting …. And then, he said "wow mama, I did not know Keadilan was winning so many seats!"

And when Puncak Borneo – Puncak Borneo – fell into Keadilan's hands, that's when we knew it was up, because a seat like that, in Sarawak … that showed this huge political tectonic shift in favor of PH.

So that was the moment, when he was saying to me: "Wait, mama did we just win this seat? Because you told me Sarawak was a fixed deposit! '

I said,' yeah, it's their stronghold, but who knows, maybe we're in for a surprise? '

But I knew then that we were looking at a change in government at the federal level. It was very surreal

Women's rights organizations.

We have below 15% women represented in Parliament, and the numbers have not improved over the years. So in Keadilan, we come out with a (promise of) 30% representation in terms of candidacy and policy-making (positions).

I think it's also about making sure it's not just a push for it. The push and pull factor has to gel in order to make sure it bears fruit.

And I always say this – do not dictate. Do not assume that everyone wants a career. Give that freedom for women. The most important thing about empowerment is the right to choose. And I think we lose sight (of that) when we decide one way or the other. So from Keadilan's perspective, we're ready to go

And I must tell you it's tough, (when you're in) campaign mode. I try very hard to shape the environment, the political scene, to make the role of a woman, but there are times when I felt it's quite challenging when you're bringing up two children. Whatever it may be, perhaps more awareness, I'm so glad there is more pushing back against child marriages in Malaysia, more a degree of awareness, even in the conservative segment, against sexual harassment.

It was you did not want a position in the Cabinet. Can you tell us why?

[Curtly] Yes, it was reported. And I'm really tired of dealing with this issue – I think it's a thousand and one times. And I 've said that it is reported, my main rallying is to ask everyone to participate and to contribute to this.

I'll continue to do my work, including the TVET committee. I want to make sure the activist continues to live on regardless. Sometimes, even for ministers in cabinet, they do not dictate the future of policies. Because they have to be representatives of our voice.

Is Pakatan Harapan concerned about naming a Prime Minister -in-waiting who has not been democratically elected?

Right now, we have a coalition, we have been committed to fulfilling our pledges, including our akad – our promise – to each other. That's very important.

That meant the bulk of those who were in the process of voting. And that's how I see it.

For example, when there were suggestions that another prime minister was chosen to be one of you, it was clearly rejected, because again, you are only worth your word. And that's what binds us, and what makes me proud to be who I am and doing what I can do. If you lose sight of your own credibility, then you are left with nothing else.

Malaysia's first female Deputy Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail) will be stepping down to, so to speak, accommodate the Prime Minister-in-waiting. Are you concerned about the message that might be sent to the Malaysian public?

This case should not be discussed, even now. We all have our roles to play, and we have made decisions that have been made that the DPM is holding office. And I do not think this has been discussed, so it's really more about the assumptions that are being made in this interview, rather than what's taking place.

Of course, there may be a transition, but right now, he is a leader in the role of a woman, and the pledges she has made.

We hope you do not mind if we press you a bit more on this to the public, having the DPM to the Prime Minister-in-Waiting …

[All rights reserved] … and this is not even in discussion now – that's my response for you. I can not hypothetically answer, when the focus, other than the party elections, is to ensure the DPM performs its role accordingly.

What are your thoughts on the state of journalism in Malaysia, and what do you think needs to

This Parliament session, we'll be bringing up the abolition of the Printing Press and Publications Act, and the setting up of a media council. That bill has been prepared since 2010, but never saw the light of day.

It's good that we have our thoughts and ideas, but we can not ignore the stakeholders themselves. We have to engage in a fruitful manner and ask them what can be done to improve things.

Malaysia needs a very vibrant media, vibrant journalism, as sufficient reminder to politicians to always toe the Malaysian line.

One of the things that struck me throughout the years was that it allows for the voices of the youth to be represented – not many media outlets have that realization.

It's important to understand and celebrate that they want their voices to be represented in a way they feel comfortable with. I hope more media outlets will be more aligned with relevant issues, because I do not like when the media talks about Reasons to address issues like sexual grooming, child marriages … and what is a testament to what youth believe in – not your concerts, and all that jazz.

Lastly, and this is a question that was asked to your father – Malay or Malaysian first?

My answer has always been that we are Malaysians. That's what we have to grapple with. Accept it. Embrace it. Does not mean I'm not proud of my Malay heritage, identity or culture, and where I came from, my fatherland, Permatang Pauh. These are part and parcel of who I am. We're about nation-building. We're about to convince my children that this country loves them, and they love it. So the answer is clear. We are all Malaysians, and we need to be very sensitive to this issue of climate change.

* R.AGE is an acclaimed investigative documentary team under The Star. It recently won the Kajai Award, Malaysia's top honor for journalism, for the second year running. Follow their stories at fb.com/thestarrage and youtube.com/rageonlinetv.