COMMENT | On April 23, PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar said her father, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, reform agenda was still alive.

She urged the rakyat to be patient and to continue the struggle, despite the criticisms and ridicule about the lack of reform, as shortcuts would not lead to meaningful change.

Is Nurul Izzah an optimist? Of course, she would say that reformasi is alive. The reformasi movement was her raison d'être.

Reformasi highlighted her father's ill treatment by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and the rakyat's determination and persistence helped secure his freedom.

A “dead” reformasi would deal her a crushing blow and bring a meaningless end to the main purpose of her life. Reformasi was also her stepping stone into politics.