YOURSAY | ‘Dedicated social work is good and praiseworthy, but the real solution lies in politics.’

Time to reflect on what is important

Mechi: Permatang Pauh parliamentarian Nurul Izzah Anwar, I like what I read about your hands-on efforts to improve your constituency's welfare. Well done.

You are one of the few dedicated politicians working on the ground like Lim Kit Siang and late leaders such as Nik Aziz Nik Mat, Karpal Singh, Dr Tan Chee Khoon, DR Seenivasagam and many others.

Malaysia truly lacks leaders like you. You have vision, foresight, energy, dedication and charisma, as well as holistic education. It is time for you to take a bigger role (just like I wished for Ambiga Sreenevasan, our Bersih jewel) and look beyond today.

What you have done for Permatang Pauh can be emulated for the whole nation if you aim higher and act fast. Plant your roots now, but you need an alliance with key members like former PKR leader Rafizi Ramli and others. We cannot depend on the old sickly business model of pleasing only themselves and some chosen Malays.

The world is at your feet, NuruI Izzah. Grow with the tide for the good of our beloved Malaysia. You may never realise your potential until you leap into unchartered territories.

We pray for you that the current political upheaval is God's call for us to rise to the occasion stronger and build solid foundations.

Kim Quek: Dedicated social work is good and praiseworthy, but the real solution lies in politics. It is only when you have political power that you can usher in sweeping changes that will bring happiness across the full spectrum of the populace.

And this is critical when you have a ruling power which is corrupted and incompetent. Such a government will doom the future of the country.

I am glad to see many youthful activists protesting on Saturday night against unscrupulous politicians who succeeded in their ugly power grab, reflecting a major flaw in the function of our political system.

I am particularly impressed by lawyer Fadiah Nadwa Fikri, who is now being harassed by police using repressive laws that Harapan had conspicuously failed to throw out.

I hope more young people would join Fadiah’s rank to spearhead a political awakening movement to form a massive tide that will be pivotal to the outcome of future elections, especially now that voting age has been lowered from 21 to 18.

Perhaps, veteran political leaders like Nurul Izzah who can inspire idealism among the young should consider devoting their energy in this direction.

Make no mistake, the future of the country will be determined by this younger generation.

P_CBM: Nurul Izzah, thank you for sharing this with us.

Amidst all the worthless garbage we have as politicians, it’s very heartening and reassuring to know that we do have one who has all the attributes in making a fine and legitimate leader, who aspires to lead us, especially at challenging times such as this. Your sincerity and relentlessness are qualities that will assure that, one day.

Thank you for all the precious service you are rendering to improve the lives of the unfortunate and helpless. God bless you and your efforts. Keep doing what you do best, which you are performing wholeheartedly.

The like-minded rakyat, who desire the very best for the nation and its people, are with you.

Anonymous_1535644972: Nurul Izzah, you are definitely doing a great favour to the nation. But maybe you need to set the machinery in motion and move back to the political scene. You have the quality of leading and caring for the nation.

I wish Malaysia had more people with your foresight. The current leaders only care for themselves and provoke religious issues to garner support from the masses. Is that the message we the nation to carry moving forward?

We are Malaysians, and let us be proud of our country. Let us not be remembered as a nation torn apart by race, religion and creed. Don’t people remember the old saying “united we stand, divided we fall”?

Idiocracy: Nurul Izzah withdrew herself into Permatang Pauh because she couldn't withstand the dirty politics dominated by chauvinist men.

To be a successful politician in Malaysia, you need to be in the thick of the action. No matter how likeable and popular you are, you won't be able to make as big a difference if you're not on the national stage.

Your writing, though commendable, shows you are not ready.

Fair Minded Senior Citizen: You deserted us and chose the soft option of dealing with drug addicts. You should have stayed back and fulfilled the aspirations of the people who voted for you.

To me, you deserted us when most needed. You are not one that I will vote for if given the opportunity.

Stay back and fight, and take the bricks on your face and march forward. There are others who can take care of Jakim-approved events.

The Wakandan: @Fair Minded, maybe you really are a senior citizen by your moniker. I hope your memory still serves you right, and think back to when Nurul Izzah decided that she must forgo a leadership position in PKR.

She did the honourable thing and I cannot say that about many of our leaders though. She is comparatively young - her retreat from leadership would be most valuable to develop and mould her character and to learn about the life of ordinary folks. How do you know them if you have never been there?

Anonymous_1378093545: Yes, Nurul Izzah did the right thing by stepping out of the mainstream of the old, power-crazy, constantly bickering and U-turn governments.

Did we have any peace during these 22 months in spite of having a new government? It was always one upheaval after another caused by Pakatan Harapan or BN.

When you can't do much, when your energy will be wasted on such bigotry et cetera, it is best to step out. Use your energy elsewhere where it will make a difference.

This is a young woman I will support any time to lead this country and do not say she is too young. Look at Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin. Our old, unimaginative, racists and self-serving so-called leaders need to be put to pasture.

Young people, come out and stake your claim to the future. Remember, the current scenario will destroy the future of your children.

RR: Nurul Izzah, as a senior citizen and a regular Malaysiakini commentator, I must congratulate you for the excellent welfare services you are spearheading. You are setting the best example for a politician to be an extraordinary one.

Yes, it will be an uphill task in the midst of roque selfish self-interested politicians around. You may one day be the first female PM of this country if you continue to perform with compassion the good people-centric welfare work you are doing. God bless you.

David Dass: It is good to know the work that Nurul has been doing on the ground. There is much that needs to be done. And it is good to know that so many are doing so much good work among the poor.

The poor are the ones who need the most help. Hopefully, despite the warring factions among politicians, the civil servants, the charitable organisations and social activists will continue to do the real work that needs to be done.

Sarawakian: Indeed, it’s a smart move for Nurul Izzah to take leave from PKR. To have stayed meant involvement in the vicious factional fight in PKR. Now you can unite PKR.

The nation needs young politicians like Nurul Izzah, Rafizi and Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman. Not old men like Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Anwar Ibrahim and Muhyiddin Yassin. For them to continue means more of the same.

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