Kuala Lumpur, ibu kota dan untuk sekian lama nadi pentadbiran negara, telah dijadikan wilayah yang ditadbir terus oleh Kerajaan Persekutuan sejak 1 Februari 1974.

Sejak tahun 1965, pilihan raya ahli-ahli majlis tempatan – termasuk Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) yang pada 1961 diwujudkan sebagai Suruhanjaya Ibu Kota – tidak lagi dijalankan. Sudah pasti pada mulanya wujud sebab-musabab yang munasabah kenapa langkah ini diambil, tetapi masanya telah tiba – setelah 47 tahun berlalu – untuk dikembalikan hak rakyat untuk membuat pilihan semula.

Mengapa saya berkata sedemikian? Kita cuma perlu lihat belanjawan 2012 DBKL yang berjumlah RM2.3 bilion – bersamaan dengan jumlah belanjawan 2012 Kerajaan-kerajaan Negeri Selangor (RM1.6 bilion) dan Pulau Pinang (RM740 juta)! – dan bertanya:

Adakah jumlah ini benar-benar diguna dengan sebaik mungkin?

Telahkah DBKL memperjelas kepada para pembayar cukai pintu (ratepayers) tentang penggunaan wang rakyat yang begitu banyak ini?

Wujudkah satu sistem maklum balas menyeluruh yang mampu memastikan DBKL benar-benar bertanggungjawab dalam memastikan wang ringgit rakyat digunapakai dengan cara yang paling berkesan dan paling cekap?

Tanpa sistem pilihanraya kerajaan tempatan, kesemua soalan di atas hanya tinggal soalan.

Kuala Lumpur, bangkitlah!

Masanya telah tiba untuk kita nikmati sebuah DBKL yang benar-benar bertanggungjawab kepada para pembayar cukai pintu, dan boleh diganti mereka yang enggan mendengar suara rakyat.

Masanya telah tiba untuk kita didampingi seorang Datuk Bandar yang benar-benar dipilih penduduk Kuala Lumpur, dan boleh diganti mereka yang tidak berani untuk menyuarakan hati nurani rakyat.

Masanya telah tiba untuk kita alami sebuah Kuala Lumpur yang lebih maju, yang lebih mesra, yang lebih baik.

Selamat Hari Wilayah.

Simbol naga ini merupakan simbol yang begitu bermakna memandangkan tahun kelahiran Ibu saya adalah pada tahun naga – signifikasi besar pabila diangkat permulaannya dengan pembebasan Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, ayahanda kami, pada 9 Januari 2012.

Bagi kami, pembersihan nama ini merupakan simbol terpenting di dalam sambutan Gong Xi Fa Cai. Pembersihan digambarkan menerusi tradisi setiap keluarga yang membersihkan rumah mereka untuk membuang malang atau malapetaka daripada perkarangan kediaman yang mereka kasihi.

Samalah jua jikalau kita menyayangi Tanah Air kita yang satu ini – seharusnya kita nyahkan, bersihkan Malaysia daripada segala rasuah, salah guna kuasa dan politik kotor demi masa depan yang lebih baik untuk semua.

Di peringkat Lembah Pantai, mesej saya mudah – kehadiran Pakatan Rakyat berjaya memaksa kerajaan sedia ada menerima hakikat bahawa keluarga dengan gaji kurang daripada RM3,000 sebulan wajib dibantu. Paras garis kemiskinan terdahulu – di bawah RM800 sebulan – sudah lapuk dan ketinggalan zaman.

Dan walau sekelumat sahaja jumlah hamper yang merupakan sumbangan tahunan daripada saya dapat diberikan, ianya adalah daripada gaji saya berserta bantuan teman-teman seperjuangan, bukannya hasil rompakan negara yang menjadi mangsa keluaran wang haram sebanyak RM1 trillion!

Bayangkan, jikalau Malaysia dibersihkan daripada pemimpin Maha Korup lagi Maha tidak bertanggungjawab, RM1 trillion akan bakal menjadi hak milik Rakyat.

Selamat Menyambut Tahun Baru Cina!
Bersihkan Malaysia!

Assalamualaikum w.b.t Yang Berhormat Dato’ Ismail,

MEMORANDUM BAGI MEMPERCEPATKAN PROSES PENGGANTIAN PAIP DI KAWASAN BANGSAR, LEMBAH PANTAI, KUALA LUMPUR

Dengan hormatnya saya merujuk kepada perkara di atas.

Saya ingin menarik perhatian Yang Berhormat Dato’ Ismail berhubung permasalahan ketara yang berlaku di kawasan Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur iaitu gangguan bekalan air akibat daripada kekerapan berlakunya paip pecah di kawasan berkenaan.

Saya difahamkan melalui maklumat daripada pihak Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (SYABAS) bahawa paip-pai yang digunakan di kawasan Bangsar ini dari jenis ‘AC’ (Asbestos Cement) yang telah berusia 25 tahun masih digunakan dan ketidakupayaan untuk menampung tekanan air di kawasan berkenaan.

Menurut rekod daripada pihak SYABAS juga, dalam tempoh 2 bulan yang lepas, sebanyak 27 kes paip pecah telah direkodkan di kawasan Taman Lucky, Bangsar dan perkara yang sama berlaku di kawasan sekitarnya.

Buat Pengetahuan Yang Berhormat Dato’ Ismail, saya dimaklumkan oleh pihak SYABAS bahawa mereka telah memaklumkan tentang keperluan penggantian paip di kawasan Bangsar ini kepada pihak Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Air Negara (SPAN) menerusi satu lawatan tapak yang diadakan pada 13 Disember 2011 lalu. Walaubagaimanapun, program penggantian paip yang telah dirancang oleh pihak SYABAS terpaksa ditangguhkan berikutan arahan pihak SPAN untuk menangguhkan pelaksanaan semua program-program pengurangan air tanpa hasil (NRW) dan ini termasuklah Program Penggantian Paip Lama yang dilaksanakan di bawah perbelanjaan CAPEX (perbelanjaan modal) sehingga cadangan penstrukturan semula perkhidmatan bekalan air di negeri Selangor, Kuala Lumpur dan Putrajaya selesai sepenuhnya.

Perkara yang dimaklumkan oleh pihak SYABAS ini tidak selari dengan janji yang telah dibuat kepada pihak Persatuan Penduduk Bukit Bandaraya untuk mengantikan paip yang sedia ada (dalam Rolling Plan Kedua, RMK ke-10).

Oleh yang demikian, saya menggesa agar pihak SPAN dapat mempercepatkan proses penggantian paip sepertimana yang telah dijanjikan dan bersama-sama surat memorandum ini juga, saya lampirkan sokongan penduduk setempat yang turut sama menggesa agar masalah ini diselesaikan segera.

Segala kerjasama daripada pihak Yang Berhormat Dato’ Ismail dan SPAN amatlah dihargai demi kesejahteraan dan keselesaan penduduk setempat dan didahului dengan ucapan terima kasih.

“ Demi Malaysia yang Lebih Baik ”

Sekian. Wassalam.

Yang berkhidmat,

Nurul Izzah Anwar
Ahli Parlimen Lembah Pantai

S.k Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Bin Ismail
Datuk Bandar Kuala Lumpur
Tingkat 27, Menara DBKL 1
Jalan Raja Laut
50350 Kuala Lumpur

Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Teo Yen Hua
Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif
Prima Avenue, Block 3510
Jalan Teknokrat 6
63000 Cyberjaya
Malaysia

Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Ir. Lee Miang Koi
Ketua Pegawai Operasi SYABAS
Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdh. Bhd.
Ibu Pejabat
Peti Surat 5001
Jalan Pantai Baharu
59990 Kuala Lumpur

Hati mana yang tidak berdebar menanti satu penantian yang bakal mengubah segala suasana kekeluargaan yang selama ini dinikmati; dirampas rakus pihak yang berkuasa.

Hati mana yang tidak gundah kerana berasa satu ketidakadilan menimpa keluarga ketika anak-anak, menantu dan cucu masih memerlukan ayah untuk tempat mengadu, menimba nasihat dan menumpang kasih.

Adakah salah untuk seorang anak memiliki perasaan yang sejuta rasa penuh amarah dan keharuan apabila ayahnya diperlakukan begitu rupa? Alhamdulillah, walaupun ayah dibebaskan daripada pertuduhan yang tidak sepatutnya dibicarakan langsung berdasarkan hujah-hujah dan pembuktian awal, rakyat berhak mendapat jawapan kepada semua persoalan mengenai perjalanan sebenar perbicaraan ini.

Apakah yang mendorong perbicaraan ini diteruskan mesti dicari kerana nyata sekali satu penganiayaan sudah berlaku bukan sahaja kepada individu, tetapi kepada integriti institusi kehakiman yang menjadi tunjang negara kita.

Mengapa tidak digunakan undang-undang syariah yang sedia ada iaitu qazaf dalam mengadili kes ini? Bukankah pemerintah sering menabik dada dan melaungkan kepada seluruh dunia bahawa Malaysia sebuah negara Islam? Ke mana perginya Islam itu?

Mengapa yang menuduh juga tidak didakwa sekiranya pertuduhan yang digunakan melibatkan perbuatan bukan paksaan tetapi secara rela? Bukankah ini pendakwaan yang hanya separuh jalan dan tidak sempurna?

Mengapa laporan doktor pertama tidak digunakan sepenuhnya? Bukankah tanda bukti awal pertuduhan nyata membuktikan kepalsuan tuduhan jijik sudah tidak berasas?

Mengapa bahan bukti yang diambil secara ‘curi-curi,’ dengan prosedur simpanan tempang sifatnya diterima bulat? Bukankah rekaan laporan kimia selepasnya terang-terang tidak ada nilai diguna pakai dalam pendakwaan?

Mengapa saksi-saksi penting seperti pegawai polis (yang mengaku bertemu di sebuah bilik hotel) serta yang berjawatan paling tertinggi di tanah air (yang pada awalnya menafikan bertemu kemudian mengaku pula bertemu untuk bantuan biasiswa) dengan si penuduh sebelum berlakunya kejadian yang menjadi asas pertuduhan dibenarkan tidak hadir pada perbicaraan?

Bukankah setiap rakyat tidak kira pangkat adalah sama darjat di mata undang-undang kerana demi keadilan semua saksi mesti didengar, diperiksa dan disoal jawab di mahkamah?

Mengapa perbicaraan diteruskan apabila segala unsur-unsur pertuduhan itu rapuh, berunsur palsu dan tidak memenuhi piawaian paling asas bahan bukti, termasuk kepincangan pemanggilan saksi jelas wujud? Bukankah perbicaraan ini sepatutnya untuk mencari kebenaran dan keadilan, bukan dijadikan pendakwaan terpilih untuk tujuan politik?

Kalau ini bukan namanya satu konspirasi politik apa pula namanya? Ke mana hilangnya pertimbangan dan peri kemanusiaan mereka yang merancang, melaksana dan bersubahat untuk memperkosa institusi kehakiman bagi tujuan sempit dan jahat pemerintah?

Ke mana hilangnya kemuliaan budaya bangsa yang tidak mengajar memfitnah dan menzalimi orang lain? Ke mana membisunya kebanyakan suara ulama, ilmuwan dan suara berdaulat melihat kezaliman yang melanggar batasan agama, budaya dan kemanusiaan dibenarkan berlaku?

Ke mana perginya keadilan, kebenaran, kewarasan dan kejujuran? Tetapi yang menjadi kemuncak kemarahan saya adalah makna sebenar dan kesannya kezaliman yang berlaku bukan sahaja kepada kami sekeluarga, tetapi kepada semua rakyat dan lebih utama kepada kemurnian negara yang dinodai dengan kedurjanaan mereka yang mahu berpegang kepada kuasa tanpa mengira apa institusi yang dirosakkan atau apa hak yang dicabul.

Sesungguhnya kebenaran akan tetap menghancurkan kebatilan dan kezaliman itu tetap akan dibalas kerana tidak seperti penghakiman di dunia, penghakiman di akhirat tidak boleh dibeli, dipalsukan atau diperdagangkan.

Inilah yang menjadi keyakinan dan asas kesabaran kami sekeluarga semenjak 13 tahun apabila segala jentera kerajaan dicemari untuk menyerang prinsip perjuangan menuntut keadilan dan demokrasi tulen untuk semua.

Terima kasih kepada semua pihak dan rakyat yang telah banyak menyokong dan beristiqamah dalam menghadapi cabaran konspirasi politik yang pada hemat saya masih belum reda. Ayahanda Anwar sudah bebas dan sekarang kita mesti bebaskan rakyat pula daripada kejahatan yang menggugat demokrasi. ALLAH Maha Besar.

(Pertama kali disiarkan di Sinar Harian, 11 Januari 2012)

Hence, we are more than ready to embrace policy centered debates which allows the Rakyat to make a choice between two legitimate political entities – predicated on free and fair coverage in the mainstream media to allow for informed decision making.

As a grouping, Pakatan Rakyat grew from a movement for justice into a political coalition that aims to bring changes for a better Malaysia for All Malaysians.

Pakatan Rakyat grew from a movement for justice into a political coalition that aims to bring changes for a better Malaysia for All Malaysians.

We have been tested – we have faced all possible political and moral ‘tests’ from the political conspiracy sodomy II trial against our leader Anwar Ibrahim, the takeover of Perak, the party hopping incidents and the PAS-UMNO ‘unity government’ invitation – and we have learned, matured and have become true partners bonded together by hardship and a common cause which is politics for ‘Demi Rakyat Dan Demokrasi’.

We are fit to govern – we have also gained the experience in governing 5 and later 4 states successfully. The financial performance, governance, economic development and social cohesion achievements are evidence of our ability to lead and govern effectively. We have achieved much more in 3 years than what BN has achieved in the 51 years it has governed most of the states. For example, in Selangor when Pakatan took over in 2008, there was only RM400 million in cash reserves but as of 2011 we have managed to increase this amount to RM1.2 billion which is 3 times more than BN’s 51 year in government. In Penang, we’ve managed to reduce public sector debt by nearly 95%, from over RM600 million in 2008 to just RM35 in 2011. Now just imagine what can be achieved at the Federal level when we win Putrajaya.

We are policy focused – we have formulated the Common Policy Framework, Buku Jingga, First 100-day plan and Federal Shadow 2012 Budget as policy frameworks at the coalition level, whereafter much of our policy principles have been emulated by BN. Since 2010 we have called for Political Reforms as a fundamental counterpoint to the BN’s Government and Economic Transformation programs. In the March 2011 session of Parliament I had submitted a private member’s bill calling for the Revocation of Emergency Declaration with the aim to lead to a comprehensive Democracy Rehabilitation Act – calling for removing ISA, AUKU, Free and Fair Elections, Revocation of Emergency Declarations and Free Media; said bill was summarily rejected by the federal government – and as we now know, barely 6 months later the Prime Minister tabled a similar emergency revocation bill. Of course the ISA is to be revoked, but the twin replacement legislations may in fact be far more sinister than what the ISA used to be. UUCA is only to be marginally amended. The PSC on electoral reforms are moving on a piecemeal pace whereas with sufficient political will it in fact can be accelerated like the rushed Peaceful Assemble Act. And we are still waiting for the PPPA to be removed and replaced with a more democratic Media Council.

We are Malaysia – we are the most youthful, gender balanced and diversified political grouping covering all political spectrums.

We are the Future – we are working and moving towards a better Malaysia while BN is the past and only wants us remain the same; this we must not be.

Oleh LAILATUN KHALILAH NASIR

SHAH ALAM – “Dan, saat mendengar satu persatu patah bicara yang keluar daripada mulut Hakim Datuk Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah, yang jelas membebaskan papa dari tuduhan itu, saat itu air mata saya, mama dan adik-adik gugur satu persatu.

“Papa bebas! Syukur tidak terhingga saya panjatkan kepada Ilahi, wajah mama dan adik-adik melintas di mata.”

Demikian luahan hati anak sulung Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Nurul Izzah dalam temu bual bersama Sinar Harian semalam.

Ahli Parlimen Lembah Pantai penggal pertama ini menambah: “Saya cari mereka, saya gapai mereka. Kami bersatu dalam pelukan mama yang hangat dengan kasih…. tidak dapat digambarkan kedamaian dan kesyukuran yang menerjah diri ini.”

Menceritakan detik-detik menjelang hari penentian kes liwat dihadapi Anwar, Nurul Izzah berkata, beliau membisik ayahnya bahawa “akan kupeluk papa, kami sayang papa, ALLAH akan lindungi papa.”

“Allah bersama kita Izzah. Apapun, kita akan kembali ke rahmatullah; maka jangan ditangisi kezaliman manusia…” kata-kata Wan Azizah menyusup masuk ke telinga Izzah, mengalir dalam dada dan meresap jauh ke dalam hati. Ia kekal di situ hingga saat ini.

Izzah dan adik-adik bangun seawal 5.45 pagi. Alunan surah Yasin yang mendayu-dayu cukup menggambarkan hiba mereka sekeluarga. Selepas solat Subuh mereka kemudiannya menjamah sedikit sarapan sekadar mengalas perut. Seperti biasa papa (panggilan untuk Anwar) tetap dengan makanan kesihatannya. Mama (panggilan untuk Wan Azizah) menjadi pemerhati setia. Ketika itu Izzah saling bertatap pandang wajah-wajah di sekelilingnya. Papa, mama dan adik-adik. Semuanya berhimpun. Merenung dalam kesayuan, jauh di sudut hati mereka tidak mahu berharap, walaupun tidak putus mendoakan kebebasan untuk si ayah.

“Saya tadah tangan, syukur atas kasih sayang berpanjangan dan jitu antara kami sekeluarga. Kami jarang dapat kumpul bersama seperti yang terjadi malam itu. Suasana sungguh memilukan, namun ia juga damai dan membahagiakan. Indah seketika dapat bersama seluruh insan kesayangan di saat kami diuji sebegitu rupa,” luah Izzah.

Malam sebelumnya detik yang paling meresahkan buat Izzah. Jika Izzah berasakan itu apatah lagi yang dirasakan oleh mama dan papanya.

Pastinya Izzah tidak dapat melupakan pada malam 8 Januari, ketika tengah malam anaknya Safiyah tiba-tiba bangun, menangis mahukan papaToknya (Anwar).

Safiyyah merengek kepada Izzah. “Kakak rindu papaTok, papaTok sihat ke mama…” pertanyaan Safiyah menyentap hati Izzah.

Anak kecil itu juga dapat berasakan kemungkinan papaToknya dirampas dari pangkuan keluarga.

Izzah hanya bermunajat, menyerahkan ketentuan kepada yang Esa.

Anak sulung yang bakal memikul segala tanggungjawab jika papa dan mama ‘pergi’ satu hari nanti itu pasrah.

“Kami sekeluarga berdoa, berharap meletakkan ketentuan masa depan papa kepada ALLAH SWT. Fikir saya, kita selaku manusia akan kembali kepada ALLAH. Teringat pesanan mama. Maka kita perlu bersedia melalui sebarang dugaan yang diputuskan olehNya. Dan di kala itu, kami perlu tetapkan iman, dan perkukuhkan tekad terus berjuang.

“Yang memberi kekuatan kami ialah keyakinan papa tidak bersalah dan kami ada perjuangan yang masih belum selesai. Kami perlu berjuang demi masa depan negara,” kata Izzah menceritakan saat penting yang dilaluinya sekeluarga.

Membayangkan jika keputusan mahkamah tidak memihak kepada papanya, Izzah tenang menjawab, “akan saya peluk papa seerat mungkin, saya akan bisik ke telinganya, kami sayang papa, ALLAH akan melindungi papa dan kami akan bersama papa, berjuang sehingga ke akhirnya.”

Seperti yang ditetapkan, mereka bersama-sama meninggalkan rumah dengan seribu andaian.

Memasuki kenderaan dan meredah pagi 9 Januari itu dengan pelbagai kemungkinan yang bakal terjadi.

“Pemergian kami sekeluarga ke Kompleks Mahkamah di Jalan Duta merupakan satu perjalanan yang sangat panjang. Keresahan di hati semua ahli keluarga tidak dapat digambarkan dengan kata-kata. Papa, mama walaupun tenang, tetapi mereka menanti dengan debar.

“Apabila kami semakin menghampiri mahkamah, Subhanallah…, hati saya dipenuhi rasa girang. Saya tersentuh dengan kehadiran begitu ramai penyokong. Di dalam hati, kudoakan mereka. Moga ALLAH membalas budi kalian.

“Ketika menuruni kenderaan, walaupun teringin sentiasa menggenggam tangan mama untuk mengalirkan semangat juang yang masih ada, namun saya akur apabila dia tidak dapat melakukan itu.

“Saya terpaksa berdiri mengenangkan ramai pimpinan Pakatan Rakyat sudi hadir.

“Detik yang ditunggu tiba jua, di saat hakim muncul untuk mengumumkan keputusan, saya lihat wajah mama tidak keruan. Sabarlah mama, tawakal pada yang Esa, walaupun tidak berbicara, namun hati kami saling berkongsi rasa.

“Dan, saat mendengar satu persatu patah bicara yang keluar daripada mulut Hakim Datuk Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah, yang jelas membebaskan papa dari tuduhan itu, saat itu air mata saya, mama dan adik-adik gugur satu persatu. Papa bebas! Syukur tidak terhingga saya panjatkan kepada Ilahi, wajah mama dan adik-adik melintas di mata. Saya cari mereka, saya gapai mereka. Kami bersatu dalam pelukan mama yang hangat dengan kasih…. tidak dapat digambarkan kedamaian dan kesyukuran yang menerjah diri ini.

“Sekitar Kompleks Mahkamah dibasahi dengan air mata. Runtun hati saya melihat mama dan papa berpelukan erat.

“Detik itu amat menyentuh hati, tanpa sedar, saya hadiahkan doa buat mereka… “Ya ALLAH, janganlah pisahkan lagi kedua-dua insan ini – papa dan mamaku…”

“Seperti tersedar kami di khalayak dan laungan penyokong yang ramai, kami membalas sokongan mereka. Lambaian tangan papa dan senyuman kami hadiah buat mereka. Perlahan-lahan kami melangkah keluar mahkamah, manis sekali rasanya detik itu. Saya mendengar sokongan rakyat. Semangat reformasi menyala dalam diri.

“Destinasi kami selepas itu adalah Masjid Segambut. Kami ingin menyembah kepadaNya. Kata mama, ia rahmat buat kami sekeluarga.

“Tidak ada apa yang mampu saya balas budi mereka yang setia bersama papa dan mama dan juga bersama perjuangan Keadilan (PKR) yang mana kini saya menjadi Naib Presidennya.

“Saya mahu berjuang dengan ikhlas, Demi Rakyat. Semuanya tidak terhenti dengan pembebasan papa.

“Pengakhiran hidup, walau di mana pun kita bermula, pastinya kita mahukan yang terbaik. Kami semua berharap sentiasa diberkati ALLAH SWT dengan keikhlasan dan kasih kepada rakyat sebagai pengisian utamanya.”

Saya merujuk isu mahasiswa Adam Adli yang telah digantung pengajian selama tiga semester, di atas tuduhan mencemar nama baik Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI).

Tindakan menggantung pendidikan Adam Adli ini adalah tindakan yang opresif, bermotifkan politik yang zalim dan jelas menghalang mahasiswa dari menyuarakan pandangan mereka.

Kalaupun suatu kesalahan telah dilakukan, tindakan yang diambil haruslah bersifat memberi pengajaran, bukannya membudayakan budaya ketakutan di kalangan orang muda.

Sebagai nadi masyarakat majoriti, mahasiswa dan anak muda wajib diberi ruang untuk berfikir secara kritikal, berbincang secara mendalam, dan bersuara dengan lantang. Di mana kah mahasiswa mampu mengalami ruang sebegini jikalau bukan di universiti? Maka secara implikasinya, jawatankuasa disiplin yang telah menjatuhkan hukuman ke atas Adam semalam lah yang sebenarnya merendahkan maruah dan nama UPSI itu sendiri, yang mempunyai sejarah yang begitu dalam dan cukup berkait rapat dengan kebangkitan semangat kebangsaan sejak sebelum Malaya mengecapi kemerdekaan.

Saya menyeru kepada seluruh rakyat Malaysia agar kita bangkit dan pertahankan hak mahasiswa, kerana mahasiswa lah yang menjadi penyambung perjuangan kita demi Malaysia yang lebih baik.

Nurul Izzah Anwar
Ahli Parlimen Lembah Pantai dan
Naib Presiden KEADILAN

Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar, better known as Izzah, is part of a new breed of female politicians who are fast changing the landscape of our Parliament. Young and savvy, her charm, wit and photogenic looks make her a media darling and crowd puller. This former skateboarder has come a long way since stepping out of the shadow of her famous father. She is now Vice President of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and an emerging leader in her own right.

Izzah believes that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) has evolved faster than Barisan Nasional (BN) in terms of meeting the changing needs of women in a persistently patriarchal environment. She attributes this to there not being a need to “kowtow to hierarchy” in PR parties as compared to BN parties. “When existing norms and values are cemented and institutionalized –like is the case in BN – it becomes challenging for new ideas to emerge,” she says.

Alluding to the entrenched “glass ceiling”, Izzah narrates an incident that occurred when the idea to form a Parliamentary Women’s caucus was first mooted in 2008 by Nancy Shukri, the BN MP for Batang Sadong. Despite being an idea raised by UMNO itself, Izzah Izzah says she was shocked that the UMNO female MPs were hesitant to join the caucus because they “needed to check” with the party leadership first.

“That is not even in Pakatan Rakyat’s dictionary,” she says. Calling the caucus “a game-changer”, Izzah suggests that for important issues such as these, an MP should decide based on conscience and not depend on party directives. At the very least, one would be excited to pursue it as a goal and attempt to convince the party leadership of its significance.

Eventually, the caucus got off the ground, although Izzah feels it should have been upgraded to the status of a Parliamentary Select Committee instead. Since a caucus depends on the financial assistance and approval of the minister in charge, the Caucus on Women’s Affairs is constantly “at the mercy of” its overseer Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, she says.

“In BN’s mind, there is already an existing Ministry for Women, Family and Community development, hence there is no necessity to create a select committee for women’s issues,” Izzah explains.

She says this reveals a structural issue with the ruling coalition, proven by BN’s insistence that select committees are not prioritized and not allowed to thrive in our parliamentary democracy.

“In the Parliamentary Women’s Caucus, PKR pushed very hard for the amendment of 60 days maternity leave to 90 days. I remember the answer given by (Minister for Women’s Development) Shahrizat was that according to a poll done by the Ministry, many women prefer to go back to work quickly instead of taking long leave,” she recalls.

Izzah criticizes this view as archaic and backward, saying that as a mother twice over, she understands how valuable time spent with a newborn is to a mother. “Heck, you carried the baby for nine months, you just want to spend as much time with your child as you can.”

“Coming from the Minister, it speaks volumes about how the ruling coalition views women.” Izzah hits out at the BN mentality that women have to be “thankful” to BN because it has given them so much, instead of the other way round.

The Minister is not doing enough

She begs to differ, saying that the Women, Family, and Community Development Ministry is not enough to address the needs of the fairer sex. For instance, Talian Nur is not equipped to handle sensitive and delicate issues involving child victims. There was an instance where Izzah contacted Rumah Nur on behalf of an incest victim and was advised to call the police instead.

“The staff on the line told me, we don’t do such things, we only deal with free mammograms and pap smears. I mean, seriously…” she says.

Izzah says that the Ministry should be further emphasized and its budget should be increased accordingly to match its importance. Currently, there is a shortage of Social Welfare Department (JKM) officials and this compromises the standard of care given to JKM chargees, sometimes causing unintended accidents. Recently an 18 month old child fell and broke his arm at a ministry shelter. There are other cases, all of which could be avoided.

The overstretched JKM officials are also prone to human error or burdened with backlog. Ultimately, it is the aid recipients who will get substandard care. There have been cases where the welfare aid is 3 months’ late. There are also instances where the recipients are treated disrespectfully, even bordering on verbal abuse by JKM officials.

Izzah believes that this is due to the current system that has a mindset of giving handouts to the poor, who are regarded as a burden on the economy. She believes that this system is inefficient and will not empower the recipients in the long run with skills to uplift their economic standard.

 Women who are poor are often vulnerable and merely giving cash aid will not solve their problems in the long term. Izzah says programs such as the NGO-initiated “My Kasih” program are better designed to give a hand up, and not handouts to needy participants.

My Kasih is funded by corporate sponsors and gives poor households credit points in the recipient’s MyKad, which can be swiped to purchase groceries without the need for cash to change hands. The program which lasts for a year, imposes certain conditions on the recipients including: children of the household must attend school and the family must go through Bank Negara financial literacy training. (details at www.mykasih.com.my)

Izzah questions why such a valuable and successful program has yet to be adopted by the Ministry for nationwide implementation.

PR to bring change for women

PR’s Alternative Budget 2011 proposes to give a “homemaker’s allowance” directly to women from lower income families, since women know the needs of their children best. Homemakers whose spouses earn RM18,000 a year or less and have at least one child would also be given RM1,000 yearly. PR makes it a priority to empower women.

PR also suggests that the Women Affairs Ministry should undertake the national census, because it would benefit from the data obtained, for instance household income. Before coming up with comprehensive solutions, the Ministry needs to understand the extent of the problem, Izzah points out.

“There have been so much census exercises carried out, but at the end of the day, citizens are still required to register for BR1M (another BN aid scheme financed by taxpayer’s money). I just don’t understand where does all this data go to?” she questions.

PR intends to make the Women Affairs Ministry a focal point around which solutions are catered. Law reform is needed to scrutinize the working relationship between the Home Ministry, Women Affairs Ministry and agencies under the PM’s department which often don’t work hand in hand well enough.

Many societal problems are intertwined with issues that originate within the jurisdiction of JKM. Low income and lack of resources available for women often results in housing problems particularly in single-head households.

When children do not get the care, focus and education that they need to break out of the poverty cycle, it may trigger truancy, glue-sniffing, baby dumping, and other social ills. Regrettably there is little police can do about these because those involved are underage.

Teenage truancy can easily lead to a life of crime. In Malaysia, juveniles are not handled separately from adult offenders. Juvenile offenders awaiting trial are allowed to mix with hardcore criminals in normal prisons, this increases their risk to become repeat offenders.

In the same vein, child victims of crimes such as sexual abuse and violence are treated like adult victims under current law. There is no mechanism to manage crimes perpetrated against children with special care by qualified professionals.

There is also no centralized department to provide instantaneous communication to the Women’s ministry, the immigration department, and the police in cases of child abduction.

“These issues are like a time bomb. Women’s issues are issues that affect Malaysia’s demographics. There is no simple answer to the question,” Izzah warns.

She adds that with centralized planning, such issues can be tackled by making the various ministries and departments work in tandem and share information. PR’s approach challenges the status quo and forces the government to embrace new changes in policy-making, considering the needs of women.

Women are an asset

 Izzah explains why women’s issues are important in the larger scheme of things. “In talking about a new development model, the focus is no longer about how rich you are. It’s about how happy and fulfilled you are. That’s why things such as a “human development index” has been coined,” she adds.

“Malaysia is but a tiny speck in the global scheme of things, so we have no choice but to innovate and to focus on leveraging on our comparative advantage. I believe that Malaysian women are our comparative advantage,” says the mother-of-two.

She believes that if we can find a way to harness the combined strength of women, it will do wonders for our country’s development potential.

Traditionally, Malaysia has a rich history of women involving themselves in politics. Although many women have been on the forefront of the political scene, this has not necessarily translated into more women in positions of power.

Izzah raises the example of her own grandmother, a capable orator, from whom her father inherited some traits of charm. Many other female figures have been instrumental in the nation’s history such as Ibu Zain (pioneer for women’s education), Tun Fatimah Hj Hashim (the first female cabinet minister), and Mrs Bhupalan (social activist who fought for equal pay for women).

However this has not translated into greater empowerment for women as the way the government views women has not really evolved over the years, she says.

When PR took power, it tried to incorporate this aspect in governance. Examples include the 30% representation target for election candidates, the election of female EXCO members in Selangor government, and Penang appointing two female heads of local government.

This demonstrates that PR has evolved faster with regards to understanding how powerful women can be when given greater access to policy making, Izzah adds.

As for her own party, PKR in 2009 was the first (and currently the only) party in Malaysia to amend its constitution to implement a 30% quota for women leaders at the central, state and division levels. This step has been hailed as a first by many women’s rights organizations.

Other than the quota, PKR’s women’s wing prioritises trainings such as Sekolah Politik and Srikandi programs in order to equip women to be successful in their own right, and not just window dressing.

Izzah shares a quote from Condoleeza Rice: “The first rule for a woman leader is you have to be capable in your own right. You are chosen because you are a good leader, and not because you are a woman.”

Recognising women’s invisibilised role

Izzah says that women who are simply homemakers should be respected in their own right, as their duty is no less important. That is the reason PR is introducing the concept of compensating homemakers for their important contribution to the nation, she adds.

One of the most basic issues affecting ordinary women is the lack of a condusive environment to encourage women to go back to work after motherhood. This contributes to the low female labour participation rate. (Malaysia has one of the lowest rates in Southeast Asia).

“I am not a die-hard fan trying to force women to go back to work, but I think women should be given the option to, if they want to,” says Izzah.

Mothers must feel secure when putting their children in a daycare centre. In countries such as the UK, there are stringent rules for childcare professionals to ensure they are qualified to give the best care to children.

With such assurance, women will feel confident about leaving their children at childcare centres as they return to work, rather than having to resort to leaving their children with unknown neighbours –as is the case in many PPR flats.

The current pathetic state of childcare facilities holds women back from achieving their full potential in the workforce, Izzah says. A conducive working environment including flexi hours and childcare facilities will enable more women to have the option to balance family and career.

The first term lawmaker is grateful that her large extended family assists in sharing the child-raising duties, while she juggles her many roles. She also credits her husband with being a pillar of support and an understanding partner. “I would not be able to do what I do, if I did not have such a supportive husband. Having a supportive husband is amazing. Many women want to participate in politics but without a supportive spouse they are held back,” she says.

Izzah notes that even Parliament did not have a breastfeeding room for working mothers. “After a long hassle, finally my request for a room to breastfeed my baby was granted. However, after I brought my child into that room, a security guard came in with a straight face to tell me that according to the rules of Parliament, no child was allowed to be in any room in the Parliament building.”

“I was appalled. I mean, how am I supposed to breastfeed my child then?” she asked.

Reforming old ways

Izzah raises the archaic state of religious institutions in Malaysia, pointing out that Syariah courts need to be reformed. “It’s like we’re stuck in this world where the religious departments have not evolved with the times. The fundamental needs of our nation have not been addressed. It saddens me,” says the thirty-two year old.

Muslim women often have a terrible time navigating through divorce due to the inherent obstacles in the Syariah court, Izzah says. She draws a comparison with the time of the prophet where it was much easier for a woman to ask for a divorce.

Women have rights to divorce too, for instance in cases where the husband has committed adultery, Izzah emphasizes. However, these rights have not been practicised.

She notes the contradiction between the ease at which a man is allowed to divorce his wife, whereas it seems almost impossible under the current court system to compel the husband to pay alimony.

Any future PR government will have the monumental task of inheriting this complex and flawed system of religious institutions. The community that will face the brunt of it will be Muslims. Izzah decries that forward thinking Muslim scholars are not given room to express their views because they are seen as being “anti-government”.

Izzah says that the myth of Muslim women being close-minded and subjugated must be shattered. “The Islam that I know teaches me to speak out and stand up for what I believe it,” she says. She shares that it was an Ustaz (religious teacher) who advised her to contest in the 2008 general election.

As a new mother, she was reluctant to stand as a candidate, but the Ustaz advised her that those who are closest to God are those who contribute as much as possible to humanity.

“I remember he told me, how can you restrict your love and care to just one individual, your baby? Motherhood is important, but also there is a whole society which you can learn from and they can in turn learn from you…” she recalls. And with those words, her mind was made up.

When asked if Malaysia is ready for a female Prime Minister, Izzah seemed agitated by the question. She said, “The idea may sound glamorous, but for me, let’s have a good Prime Minister. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a man or woman.” That’s Nurul Izzah – substance over style. –The Rocket

Surce : http://www.therocket.com.my/en/capable-in-her-own-right/

 KUALA LUMPUR,6 JANUARI: Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Air Negara (SPAN) dan SYABAS diseru untuk mempercepatkan pelaksanaan penggantian paip-paip yang sudah berusia hampir 25 tahun sehingga menyebabkan berlakunya 27 kejadian paip pecah dalam tempoh dua bulan mutakhir ini.

Ahli Parlimen Lembah Pantai,Nurul Izzah Anwar berkata kejadian itu tidak wajar berterusan berlaku khususnya di kawasan seperti Bangsar kerana kawasan ini merupakan kawasan yang menjadi tumpuan orang ramai dan mempunyai kepadatan penduduk yang tinggi.

” Saya juga dimaklumkan sehingga 1 Januari lepas masih lagi berlaku kejadian ketiadaaan air, isunya yang utama ialah ketiadaan notis yang mencukupi daripada pihak Syabas dan menyusahkan penduduk-penduduk tempatan,” kata Izzah semasa lawatan turun padang ke tapak takungan air di Bukit Bandaraya di sini.

Menurut Izzah, beliau banyak menerima aduan daripada penduduk di Taman Lucky Garden di Bangsar berkenaan masalah gangguan bekalan air akibat daripada paip milik SYABAS yang menyalurkan bekalan air ke kawasan berkenaan pecah.

Masalah itu jelas Izzah menyukarkan aktiviti penduduk di kawasan tersebut dan sepanjang tempoh pembaikan tidak ada alternatif untuk membekalkan sumber bekalan air kepada penduduk.

“Walaupun masalah ini sudah lama dikenalpasti, jawapan SYABAS menyatakan pihak Suruhanjana Perkhidmatan Air Negara (SPAN) belum lagi meluluskan untuk penggantian paip di kawasan Bangsar walaupun mereka sudah melakukan lawatan tapak pada 13 Disember yang lalu.

” Arahan pihak SPAN ialah untuk menangguhkan pelaksanaan semua program pengurangan air tanpa hasil termasuklah penggantian paip-paip lama sehingga cadangan penstrukturan semula perkhidmatan air Kuala Lumpur dan Putrajaya selesai sepenuhnya,ini membimbangkan.” kata Izzah.

Izzah berkata,penduduk yang mengalami gangguan bekalan air tidak diberikan sebarang notis gangguan bekalan air yang menjejaskan kehidupan harian penduduk.

” Alasan hendak menunggu sehingga penstrukturan semula perkhidmatan bekalan air dilakukan di negeri Selangor dan Kuala Lumpur serta Putrajaya tidak munasabah, pada saya Kuala Lumpur tidak ada masalah kerana ia di bawah kerajaan pusat termasuk pengurusan sisa pepejal yang juga di bawah kerajaan pusat , takkan tidak boleh selesai dan kita perkara ini tidak boleh tunggu,” tegas Izzah.

” Saya gesa pihak SPAN untuk meneliti perkara ini dan jangan korbankan masa depan penduduk Kuala Lumpur khususnya berkaitan dengan perkhidmatan air,” katanya.

Sumber  : http://www.selangorkini.com.my/my/berita/36096

Para penceramah termasuklah DS Anwar Ibrahim, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, Prof Aziz Bari dan diri saya sendiri.

Semua pembaca dan peminat politik tanah air dijemput hadir ke Dewan Gasing Indah, Jalan 5/46, Petaling Jaya (peta di sini).