With 52 percent women voters in Permatang Pauh, who best understands and represents women? The answer is clear - it is Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (Kak Wan). With her past experience as a Parliamentarian and current state assemblyperson, Kak Wan is the best person to represent the women.

How many women are there in our Malaysian Parliament? Thirteen from BN and nine from Pakatan Rakyat which makes a total of 22 women out of 222 seats. This tally is far from the recommended 30 percent women participation in decision making and in particular, politics.

As progressive Malaysians, we have to do our part to empower women further. It is a long struggle but we are making progress. Over time, the number of women who can make effective changes will rise.

Kak Wan has made a lot of sacrifices for the country since Keadilan was formed to fight for justice for her husband, who was the former finance minister. Nurul Izzah and her siblings were still very young and it was Kak Wan who braved through all the hardships from 1999 until today. When things were rough, she simply wiped away her tears and said, “Lapkan airmata, teruskan perjuangan.” That is the spirit of Reformasi - for justice, for the people.

No woman should have been made to go through the suffering Kak Wan did. Twice, her husband Anwar Ibrahim was charged and imprisoned for what can only be described as a political assassination. Permatang Pauh voters feel for her and no words can describe the betrayal and hurt the rakyat feel as the judiciary convicted Anwar unfairly with evidences which were doubtful. Everybody knows the story.

For this great disappointment, the rakyat should vote for PKR’s president Kak Wan. The rakyat should cast their votes to show their dissatisfaction for the Umno-BN government and show them again the people’s power. Makkal Sakti.

Our fight now and forever is for Keadilan and justice, against corruption, against wasteful spendings.

The power is in the rakyat’s hands. The rakyat’s best choice - our humble Kak Wan for Keadilan.

YB HANIZA TALHA is election director for the PKR Women’s wing and deputy PKR Wanita chief.