Wan Azizah for Permatang Pauh

As Malaysians brace for another by-election, we are once again forced to witness the sleazy side of politics; the type that is chock full of character assassination, riddled with sexual innuendos and possess very little substance.

For Malaysians, Permatang Pauh isn’t just the parliamentary seat Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim held on to for over three decades. It represents much more than that.

It represents the birth of the “reformasi” movement and the beginning of Pakatan Rakyat.  The powers that be understand the significance of this and will do anything in their power to crush every bit of hope we – who believe in democracy, have.

Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail is once again, contesting in Permatang Pauh – for the fourth time after 1999, 2004, 2008 and now in 2015. While most of us were not entirely surprised by this, we were relieved when her nomination was announced.

For most Malaysians, Permatang Pauh is seen as the beacon of hope, a symbol of Pakatan Rakyat struggles and a reminder for the entire nation that we, as Malaysians must remain calm in midst of the calamities we now face as a result of a callous regime.

Needless to say, it didn’t take long for BN to begin their sordid onslaught – with objectives aimed to discredit and dehumanise Dr Wan Azizah.

Their tactic of using female aggressors who have very little self-respect is nothing more than evidence of how deeply ingrained internalized sexist beliefs have been accepted by our society. Such beliefs are created by men who could care less about social justice and upholding human rights.

In the past few days, the regime’s machinery has been spewing a variety of predictable verbal attacks.  

Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, who contested Kajang and lost to Kak Wan, made several disparaging comments such as using the terms “recycled candidate” and “housewife”.  

Chew only succeeds in coming off looking more like a sore loser rather than a politician who is sincerely concerned with the welfare of those who reside in Permatang Pauh.

Her remarks contradict the position she has been entrusted to oversee – deputy women, family and community minister – and this is something that does not sit well with Malaysian women. Of course, Chew isn’t the only one. Joining in this slanderous tirade are MCA’s Tan Cheng Liang, Umno’s Datuk Jahara Hamid and Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

Where were these women, when the mad muftis so openly endorse marital rape, child marriages and would rather have women take on slave-like submissive roles? Where were these women when the bigots were hell-bent on punishing a woman who appeared on a video that raised the necessity of implementing Hudud while the rest of the country is in dire straits?

Wan Azizah once said,”I am coming out to do my bid to help in the democracy and the future of our country,” and urge that as Malaysians – we must unite to continue the struggle to uphold democracy. She has lived a life full of persecution.

Having her husband thrown in jail for crimes he did not commit and having to raise five children on her own is no easy feat but she did it while leading a political party and servicing her constituency. Unlike those who attack her, she has shown nothing but grace, fortitude and eloquence. Her calmness is a trait not many of our politicians have and this is a sign of a true leader – someone we can depend on.

Elections bring out the best and worst in us: Malaysians see promises made, babies kissed and money thrown.  

Malaysia has no shortage politicians who pay mere lip service but do not carry out their duties to serve the people who voted them into power in the first place.  All we can do is remember these four words: "people are not fools!" and that is why we need to vote for those who can do a better job than those endorsed by a regime that has forgotten about the rakyat. – May 1, 2015.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.