Bidding adieu as party president, Wan Azizah says hold on to reformasi spirit

SHAH ALAM: The emotion was palpable as outgoing PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (pic) delivered her final opening remarks at the party's 13th National Congress, where she called on party members to hold on to the "reformasi" spirit.

Referring to the party's birth on the streets, Dr Wan Azizah also paid tribute to party members and leaders for their sacrifices throughout the party's 20-year struggle.

"Idealism and the reformation agenda must be held on to tightly, continued and strengthened," she told the assembly on Saturday (Nov 16).

Recounting the party's history, Dr Wan Azizah said there had been high and low points in PKR's history, such as when the party was first founded in 1998 and won five seats.

This was followed by the 2004 General Election, where PKR lost four out of the five seats it had won in the 1999 election, leaving only Dr Wan Azizah as their sole MP as she clung to the Permatang Pauh constituency.

"I really felt an immense loneliness.

"Barisan Alternatif was destroyed, we lost badly and only Permatang Pauh remained to salvage the party's dignity," she recalled, adding that there were some individuals who had no position or rank in the party who came to Bukit Damansara to show their support and to pray.

The outgoing president warned PKR members that it was not sufficient to be among the rakyat with just logos, flags or pictures, as in previous campaigns.

"After winning, we need to be present in substance, our party needs to be present and chiselled in their consciousness, and feel the citizens' heartbeat," she said.

Despite the long-drawn party polls, Dr Wan Azizah said PKR was the only party that enabled each grassroots member to vote from cabang (division) level to the highest party leadership.

"I have tried my best in leading this party. (If there are) any mistakes, I ask for your forgiveness.

"Today, I hand over the party in its strongest position in its history to be led by the new leadership," she said.- Star