Continuing from yesterday's first part of malaysiakini 's Q&A with Nurul Izzah Anwar, the 22-year-old First Daughter of reformasi talks about life in campus, politics... and love!

Malaysiakini: Are you enjoying yourself at Universiti Tenaga Nasional (Uniten)?

Nurul Izzah: Yes, I really like it. Not to say that I am excelling in it, but it's what I want to do. I have two more years to go. I just finished my third semester which is like the summer school in the United States. At Uniten, it's not possible to finish your degree programme within four years without utilising the third semester.

Why did you choose to study electrical engineering?

I did chemical engineering at Petronas University but after my father's arrest I took a six-month study leave. When I resumed, it was difficult to be away from the family during those times because Petronas' campus is in Tronoh, Perak. I decided to change university to be closer to home. I chose electrical because it's easy for me to transfer credits.

Are you happy with the students at Uniten?

I don't really have close friends there because I don't stay at its hostel and drive daily for my classes. Sometimes it gets lonely in campus which differs vastly from the time I was at Petronas. I had really close friends because I stayed at the hostel there. Here, the lecturers are all thoughtful and the students are mostly all right.

Have you received any special treatment or extra attention at Uniten?

No, I don't think so. Some students attending the same classes with me don't even remember my father's name let alone know me. Once in my Malaysian Studies class, three other girls and I were discussing Internal Security Act (ISA). They commented the newspaper reports on the United States' 'support' for the ISA. As I was telling them why I don't support the ISA, one of them said: "Oh, who was that guy... got arrested under ISA. Ahh... Anwar what, ah? Was it Anwar Ibrahim, ah?" and without realising that I am Anwar's daughter. But that's okay with me.

But what about those who recognise you?

Some asked me to take pictures with them. I noticed I am easily spotted by students when I go to government universities like Universiti Malaya. At Uniten, so far everything is conducted professionally. Of course I get the occasional criticisms and [some] question me about statements I had given to the media. They asked why I was in the paper or why did I say this or that.

Who asked all the questions?

Well, certain people in the university who were probably concerned about me. I'd like to think that they asked me those questions because they are concerned about me. I try not to pre-judge.

Was it true that you were asked to sign a Akujanji (pledge of good conduct) with Uniten?

Yes, I was asked to sign an Akujanji when I applied for Uniten [way before the current imposition on all public university students]. But I objected, of course. Why should there be a special condition for me alone?

What did they say when you said no?

It's a long process, actually. There were discussions with the lawyers. But five months after I applied, they accepted me without my having to sign it. I don't really like talking about it because I was never made to sign anything and I'm thankful for that. Now, I am consumed with my studies and hope the professionalism by the lecturers will continue.

Did you talk to your father about the Akujanji ?

Yes, every decision that concerns my future and education must be made after discussions with my father.

Was he angry that you were asked to sign it?

As a father, naturally he was very upset. He was willing to sacrifice his freedom to fight for justice but felt that his children need not face the same hardship he was going through. So when there were problems with my application, he felt sad and outraged. But what he taught me was that we have to fight back and not just leave everything to fate.

Is it true that you received a threatening call from a mystery woman recently?

Yes. The call came while my mother was away in Terengganu. It was just me and the young kids at home, as my aunt had gone out to attend a kenduri (Malay feast). When I picked up the phone, I heard a woman utter an extremely vulgar word. Then she hung up. Then she called again and she said more profanities. I don't even want to repeat it!

Later, I saw a young couple in a car outside the gate. They kept honking, asking us to open the gate. I ignored the honks and they eventually drove away. Before this, a man came to our house five times and created disturbance. We called the police who came and took the man away. But he kept returning again and again. Can you imagine that?

Once, there was a man who screamed on top of his lungs in front of the house wanting to get in. It was really scary.

Was this the same man who attacked your house on June 3 with a parang?

No, this is a different man. But the recent one was even more scary. I was not home. But luckily Nurul Iman (second youngest sibling, aged 12) was quick to act. When she saw the man, she quickly bundled Hana (youngest sibling, aged 10) and informed my mom. They all hid in a room behind a locked door.

Back to the phone call, did you manage to say anything to the woman?

No. I was so shocked to hear those words. I mean you never use the words even with your friends and you have this woman shouting them to you.

So was the call meant to stop you from entering politics or standing for the elections?

I don't know for sure. But it came after The Star reported the story about me being tipped to contest the Lembah Pantai seat in the next elections. I have never received such calls before that.

Will all these threats and disturbances stop you from entering politics?

I see politics as a great and noble thing. If you want to help the rakyat, then politics is the best way to do it. So if I have any intention to enter politics, such threats and intimidations can never stop me. Of course, we have to take certain precaution for our safety.

So you will not be cowed by such threats?

No. Why should I? Each of us is a fighter. It would increase my resolve. It's not defiance. Defiance is different. This is more like standing up for your rights and fighting for justice

What do you have to say about the debate on meritocracy?

I am sad that the government is using the issue to fish for votes. Isn't it funny that the government claims that the Malay students' performance had risen after only a year they implemented meritocracy [in public university intakes]? I feel we need to see some reliable and transparent statistics. This must be taken seriously and to achieve positive results it has to be done with transparency.

What do you suggest?

The government can be fair by giving an equal chance to everyone to study in universities. I've seen my friends both Malays and non-Malays denied of this chance. I understand that a quota for Malays has to be imposed in certain areas to ensure fair distribution [of rural and urban students' intake in local universities] but not by sacrificing eligible students. To do this, the education department must be open to criticism to improve the system. But unfortunately, there is little chance to express any criticism.

What do you think about the debate on Bahasa Malaysia vs the English language as the medium of instruction in our education system?

I admire countries like Japan and France who truly value their own languages. Improvements in the education system must be made but not at the expense of the national language. My father had worked so hard to elevate the standard of our national language without denying the importance of English. We must preserve the usage of the language that was regarded as the lingua franca within the region during the rise of the Malacca Sultanate.

What do you think of the decision that maths and science be taught in English?

It would be very difficult for that to be implemented. I face certain difficulties when studying calculus in English now. I can't imagine the difficulties the younger students will face.

Do you think that the ministers always seemed to parrot their leader, prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad?

Yes, definitely. It's really sad because there is a pattern of parroting that is very clear. When Dr Mahathir made conflicting statements to the US government and the CNN reporter, no one within the government seemed to notice it, let alone criticise him.

This is what we need to reform. We don't only want this one man to leave his position but also the whole system, the administration [to change].

What do you think of Puteri Umno?

I believe that an organisation catering for the Malays should have the underlying Islamic principles guiding in its effort to grow and to groom young Malay women. I also wonder why is it that Puteri Umno is allowed to conduct its membership drive with university students when the government keeps saying that university students should not get involved in politics.

But Puteri Umno has denied such allegations.

Yes, that is true. But we hear many students complaining about it.

There are a lot of controversies surrounding Puteri Umno's leadership. How do you see Azalina Othman as the leader of Puteri Umno?

It's not fair for me to comment about how she's running the wing. They have been given a lot of good publicity. But as I said the underlying Islamic principle must be there to guide the members. I'm not talking about wearing tudung or anything like that. That is one aspect of the religion but so is reform, justice and other positive values.

Do you know any university students who are members of Puteri Umno?

I don't know them personally but we have students complaining that there are a lot of Puteri Umno members seeking their support.

And what happened to their complaints?

I think most of their complaints were covered up by their respective vice-chancellors. During the last university elections the government had discreetly tried to wrest control from students parties labelled as "anti-government". They organised a forum for MPP (student representatives council) from all local universities where Aziz Shamsuddin (deputy education minister) and police representatives talked about students whom they deemed as threats to the national security.

When did the forum take place?

About two or three months ago. The harassment the students face [from the authorities] is getting worse as time goes by. That's why it's unfair for anyone to compare them with the students in the 1970s. Now it's extremely difficult for them to defend their ideals.

Do you have a boyfriend?

This is a [common] question. Well, at the moment there are a lot of things in my mind which hold my attention. I have friends and colleagues at the political education unit and we work very closely. But so far there's nothing serious. But if romance suddenly comes, well, I will not push it away.