Wan Azizah Wan Ismail
Wan Azizah binti Wan Ismail (born 3 December 1952) is a prominent Malaysian politician and former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia. She is notably recognized as the first woman to hold the deputy prime minister post, serving from 2018 to 2020. Her political journey is deeply intertwined with the reformist wave in Malaysian politics and her role as a key figure in the People's Justice Party (Malaysia).
Early Life and Education
Wan Azizah was born in Singapore into a family of Peranakan Chinese descent and was raised as a Malay Muslim. Her father, Wan Ismail Wan Mahmood, and mother, Mariah Khamis, brought up Wan Azizah along with her three sisters and one brother. Her early education was at St. Nicholas Convent School in Alor Setar, and she later pursued medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
Political Career
Founding the People's Justice Party
The political career of Wan Azizah is closely linked to her husband, Anwar Ibrahim. Following Anwar's controversial dismissal and subsequent imprisonment in 1998, Wan Azizah became the leading figure in the Reformasi movement, advocating for political reform and justice. In 1999, she founded the People's Justice Party (Malaysia), consolidating various opposition groups and civil society movements under a single banner.
Deputy Prime Minister
In the 2018 Malaysian general election, the Pakatan Harapan coalition, of which the People's Justice Party was a part, secured a historic victory. Wan Azizah was appointed as Deputy Prime Minister, becoming the first woman to hold this position in Malaysia. Her leadership was marked by a strong emphasis on gender equality and social justice.
Challenges and Contributions
Wan Azizah's tenure was not without its challenges, including political turbulence that led to the 2020 political crisis in Malaysia. Following the resignation of then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, she was considered a candidate for interim prime minister. However, the political shifts led to the appointment of Ismail Sabri Yaakob later in 2021.
Personal Views and Advocacy
Wan Azizah has been vocal on numerous social issues. In 2010, she called for the abolition of the notion of Malay supremacy, advocating for a more inclusive and equitable Malaysian identity. Her advocacy extends to healthcare reforms, reflecting her background as a medical professional.