Postcards the start of 'March 2 Freedom'
Zakiah Koya and Ram AnandPublished: Feb 17, 2015 4:00 AM | Updated: Feb 17, 2015 6:24 AM
EXCLUSIVE A day after opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was convicted for Sodomy II charges, which he claimed as political persecution, his six children announced the birth of ‘March 2 Freedom’.
The one who took the mantle on this was Anwar’s second daughter, Nurul Nuha, who had been thrust into the limelight for the first time.
That brief duration under the spotlight as she stood up for her father, had tongues wagging on whether Nurul Nuha would soon be joining politics.
She brushed off the questions in an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini , and said that March 2 Freedom is apolitical, and that it's a movement that will push for her father’s release from prison.
EXCLUSIVE A day after opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was convicted for Sodomy II charges, which he claimed as political persecution, his six children announced the birth of ‘March 2 Freedom’.
The one who took the mantle on this was Anwar’s second daughter, Nurul Nuha, who had been thrust into the limelight for the first time.
That brief duration under the spotlight as she stood up for her father, had tongues wagging on whether Nurul Nuha would soon be joining politics.
She brushed off the questions in an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini, and said that March 2 Freedom is apolitical, and that it's a movement that will push for her father’s release from prison.
Nuha - 31 years old and a mother of two - said this was the brainchild of her and siblings, when Pakatan Rakyat head Anwar had been convicted.
“We are focused on his freedom. It actually came overnight after my father was taken away. Pakatan has got their own thing; this is non-political. Yes, it is a movement, and we are getting some collaboration (with Pakatan).
“He’s been fighting the cause (against injustice) ever since I was born. I think it’s not important who is taking the lead. The goal remains the same - to fight injustices, that’s how March 2 Freedom came about. It’s not about who leads who. All of us (the whole family) collectively, are in this together.
“If it also gets to help other people (that’s great), but we remain focused on the cause of this campaign,” said Nurul Nuha.
'Website to be up and running soon'
She explained that they had started off with the postcards to send the message to the authorities of the injustice done to their father.
“It is still in its infancy. We have discussed and we have got a secretariat. We have started with postcards. It’s amazing because the website will be up and running soon by Hana, our younger sister,” said Nurul Nuha.
She emphasised that they are reaching out to many supportive NGOs to get the message across that they father is unjustly being politically persecuted.
Nurul Nuha pointed out that they are not going to mix it with politics for now, and that March 2 Freedom will remain focused to fight what Anwar has left - the fight against injustice.
“March 2 Freedom is a cause and campaign to unite all Malaysians - until he (Anwar) is back home safely with us. I call for action, anyone that wants to help and join us, please do so,” she stressed.
Nurul Nuha noted that the movement will not be confined to Malaysia and that she will take it to the world, by going to other countries.
“With all my means, I am not the only one, I have got five sisters; if they push me away, someone else will take up the mantle,” she added, when asked if she fears a clampdown by the authorities.
Nurul Nuha urged her peers to be more politically aware as politics affect everyone’s lives.
“I implore everyone to come and join us in this March 2 Freedom. I might be charged with sedition. I might say, but I don’t think I should,” said a determined Nuha, amidst tears for her father.
The one who took the mantle on this was Anwar’s second daughter, Nurul Nuha, who had been thrust into the limelight for the first time.
That brief duration under the spotlight as she stood up for her father, had tongues wagging on whether Nurul Nuha would soon be joining politics.
She brushed off the questions in an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini, and said that March 2 Freedom is apolitical, and that it's a movement that will push for her father’s release from prison.
Nuha - 31 years old and a mother of two - said this was the brainchild of her and siblings, when Pakatan Rakyat head Anwar had been convicted.“We are focused on his freedom. It actually came overnight after my father was taken away. Pakatan has got their own thing; this is non-political. Yes, it is a movement, and we are getting some collaboration (with Pakatan).
“He’s been fighting the cause (against injustice) ever since I was born. I think it’s not important who is taking the lead. The goal remains the same - to fight injustices, that’s how March 2 Freedom came about. It’s not about who leads who. All of us (the whole family) collectively, are in this together.
“If it also gets to help other people (that’s great), but we remain focused on the cause of this campaign,” said Nurul Nuha.
'Website to be up and running soon'
She explained that they had started off with the postcards to send the message to the authorities of the injustice done to their father.
“It is still in its infancy. We have discussed and we have got a secretariat. We have started with postcards. It’s amazing because the website will be up and running soon by Hana, our younger sister,” said Nurul Nuha.
She emphasised that they are reaching out to many supportive NGOs to get the message across that they father is unjustly being politically persecuted.
Nurul Nuha pointed out that they are not going to mix it with politics for now, and that March 2 Freedom will remain focused to fight what Anwar has left - the fight against injustice.“March 2 Freedom is a cause and campaign to unite all Malaysians - until he (Anwar) is back home safely with us. I call for action, anyone that wants to help and join us, please do so,” she stressed.
Nurul Nuha noted that the movement will not be confined to Malaysia and that she will take it to the world, by going to other countries.
“With all my means, I am not the only one, I have got five sisters; if they push me away, someone else will take up the mantle,” she added, when asked if she fears a clampdown by the authorities.
Nurul Nuha urged her peers to be more politically aware as politics affect everyone’s lives.
“I implore everyone to come and join us in this March 2 Freedom. I might be charged with sedition. I might say, but I don’t think I should,” said a determined Nuha, amidst tears for her father.
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