Leaders must listen to people when in power, says Nurul Izzah
PERAI : Party leaders must stay close to the people, especially when in government, not only during times of struggle, PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar said today hours after filing her papers to contest the party's deputy presidency.
'We must listen, we must stay close to them. Not just when we are in hardship, but also when we are the government,' she said in rallying for grassroots support for her candidacy.
Her comments came after PKR deputy information chief R Ramanan said earlier today that many grassroots members felt abandoned after leaders gained positions of influence.
Nurul Izzah, who joined the party at 18, said her political journey was never about power or titles, but to continue the Reformasi movement (launched in 1989 after her father was expelled from Umno and detained).
'Our strength must be used to dedicate ourselves to the continuity of our struggle. Not to chase votes and power,' she said.
Leaders must have the courage to speak up within the party and use the proper channels to protect the party's values. 'We must fight a little if needed… not to compete, but to do good,' she said.
She said she plans to uplift women and gig workers, saying that 4.4 million youths were doing informal work. 'This is why we entered politics. To change society, to raise awareness. To lift up those who need help,' she said.
Nurul Izzah was addressing some 500 grassroots members from PKR in the northern region at a hotel here.
PKR youth chief Adam Adli, who was present, threw his support for Nurul Izzah, saying she was a crucial link between the early Reformasi generation and younger members.
Defending her against talk of nepotism, Adam said she had gone to jail for speaking out. 'She's not just a leader's daughter. She's been in jail, she's inspired many of us, and she's earned her place,' he said.
Nurul Izzah was arrested in 2015 and briefly detained under the Sedition Act for remarks she made about her father's imprisonment. She was released on bail two days later.
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