When PKR announced a lineup of academics and experts as election candidates today, a supporter accused the party of taking an unnecessary gamble.
It was a remark that one of the candidates, Noraishah Mydin Abdul Aziz - a research scientist who is also disabled - did not let slide.
The incident happened when PKR president Anwar Ibrahim and his deputy Rafizi Ramli were announcing six names of professionals as its “fresh face” candidates to contest in the 15th general election (GE15).
A man believed to be a party supporter started shouting from the back of the room at the PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. He criticised the leadership for picking former civil servants and academicians to represent the party.
“You’re still taking all these government servants to be politicians again, especially at universities. Go and do research. Don’t be involved in politics,” the man heckled, to the surprise of many in the room.
The individual, in a yellow t-shirt and shorts, immediately left the room after speaking his mind. He declined to speak when approached by Malaysiakini.
The remarks did not sit well with Noraishah, a 47-year-old medical scientist with Universiti Malaya, who the party will be fielding in a yet-to-be-announced seat in the Federal Territories.
As she was given the floor to respond, Noraishah, who was born with spina bifida, a birth defect, spoke about how disabled people like her have been denied opportunities their whole life.
Noraishah shared how she was denied entry by kindergartens due to her disability and how, to this day, she receives letters from parents of children with similar issues for assistance.
“(He touched) on research in universities. That’s a very, very sensitive issue because I have worked extremely hard all my life to understand spina bifida.
“To the point that I went overseas and worked at the leading laboratory in the world on neural tube defects. You can look it up. You cannot find a better research group on neural tube defects.
“I’m the only person in this country with a functioning laboratory on neural tube defects. I publish on neurotic defects regularly!
“Yet, time and time again, my cohort of researchers who applied for every single Higher Education Ministry grant, fundamental research grant, long-time research grant... and we have been denied! When the only thing I want to do is help children like me walk!” she said.
The lecturer said she was willing to take up the challenge to contest in GE15 to the extent of leaving her job as an academician to help make a better world for all people with disabilities in the country.
“So, I am willing to let go of my job as a civil servant to be here today.
“Today is the day! People with disabilities in Malaysia will get a fair chance. I am not going to back down and I’m sure... I am not a human who has no voice. I am here for all Malaysians, for all children like me.”
Earlier, she stressed that her candidacy was based on merit and not just because she was disabled.
Cynicism towards politicians
Meanwhile, Rafizi defended the party’s decision to field professionals in GE15.
He said the decision came about as voters today put more weight on the candidate’s ability and have become cynical towards politicians and political parties.
“Over the last two years, it was very obvious the biggest issue that will determine the outcome of this election is the public cynicism towards politicians and political parties.
“That’s why you can see more and more voters feel they will no longer rely exclusively on political parties but will also put weightage on the ability and the freshness of the candidates.
“So, if any parties choose to rely on party hierarchies exclusively or full-time politicians without much credibility to the extra knowledge they bring to the administration or Parliament, I think we cannot combat the cynicism,” Rafizi told reporters.
According to the PKR election director, time will tell if the decision to field professionals is a poor gamble or otherwise.
“What PKR has decided, whether you call it a gamble or not, only time will tell in about three weeks from now.
“But it is to take heed of the voters’ vision to see not only fresh faces but also to see more professionals, less full-time politicians taking an active role in politics.” - Mkini
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