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From “enemy” to “Valentines”? | Nurul Izzah Anwar | TEDxMonashUniversityMalaysia


selamat hello everyone my name is

selamat hello everyone my name is Larissa anawa and today I want to tell

Larissa anawa and today I want to tell

Larissa anawa and today I want to tell you a story about a decade’s old enemy

you a story about a decade’s old enemy

you a story about a decade’s old enemy how he became my Valentines um anyway on

how he became my Valentines um anyway on

how he became my Valentines um anyway on August 10th of 1998 when I was still 17

August 10th of 1998 when I was still 17

August 10th of 1998 when I was still 17 slightly older than Sadiq I planned my

slightly older than Sadiq I planned my

slightly older than Sadiq I planned my father his 59th birthday letter and I

father his 59th birthday letter and I

father his 59th birthday letter and I ended it with words that harkened

ended it with words that harkened

ended it with words that harkened expression be careful with what you wish

expression be careful with what you wish

expression be careful with what you wish for in the closing of that birthday

for in the closing of that birthday

for in the closing of that birthday letter because what do you really buy

letter because what do you really buy

letter because what do you really buy for the deputy prime minister blazer I

for the deputy prime minister blazer I

for the deputy prime minister blazer I wrote to annoy Ibrahim this veteran

wrote to annoy Ibrahim this veteran

wrote to annoy Ibrahim this veteran political activist Papa I’ve never had

political activist Papa I’ve never had

political activist Papa I’ve never had to fight for anything other than good

to fight for anything other than good

to fight for anything other than good grades and basically rewards for my good

grades and basically rewards for my good

grades and basically rewards for my good behavior all my achievements and

behavior all my achievements and

behavior all my achievements and everything else tell me how was it like

everything else tell me how was it like

everything else tell me how was it like for you when you were busy demonstrating

for you when you were busy demonstrating

for you when you were busy demonstrating to fight poverty for the for farmers

to fight poverty for the for farmers

to fight poverty for the for farmers embodying tell me how it felt like tell

embodying tell me how it felt like tell

embodying tell me how it felt like tell me if life could mean more than just

me if life could mean more than just

me if life could mean more than just studying so by 20th of September 1998 I

studying so by 20th of September 1998 I

studying so by 20th of September 1998 I basically got my answer and annoyed

basically got my answer and annoyed

basically got my answer and annoyed brahim sacking is Deputy Prime Minister

brahim sacking is Deputy Prime Minister

brahim sacking is Deputy Prime Minister weeks earlier by Prime Minister Mahathir

weeks earlier by Prime Minister Mahathir

weeks earlier by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad led to one of the biggest

Mohamad led to one of the biggest

Mohamad led to one of the biggest protest rallies in the country it was

protest rallies in the country it was

protest rallies in the country it was more important it was my first rally

more important it was my first rally

more important it was my first rally I’ve never had attended any

I’ve never had attended any

I’ve never had attended any demonstration before and let me tell you

demonstration before and let me tell you

demonstration before and let me tell you this hundreds of thousands of people in

this hundreds of thousands of people in

this hundreds of thousands of people in one particular setting it was just

one particular setting it was just

one particular setting it was just phenomenal and of course they were

phenomenal and of course they were

phenomenal and of course they were demanding Mijares resignation and they

demanding Mijares resignation and they

demanding Mijares resignation and they called for reforms in a country they

called for reforms in a country they

called for reforms in a country they felt that was dominated and controlled

felt that was dominated and controlled

felt that was dominated and controlled by one man so it was exciting

by one man so it was exciting

by one man so it was exciting exciting day I was sooner with my jacket

exciting day I was sooner with my jacket

exciting day I was sooner with my jacket shirt you know all unassuming felt very

shirt you know all unassuming felt very

shirt you know all unassuming felt very encouraged elated at night our lives

encouraged elated at night our lives

encouraged elated at night our lives changed forever so that very same night

changed forever so that very same night

changed forever so that very same night you had armed commandos who broke into

you had armed commandos who broke into

you had armed commandos who broke into our home pointed machine guns at my

our home pointed machine guns at my

our home pointed machine guns at my siblings including many others and

siblings including many others and

siblings including many others and arrested my father where they dragged

arrested my father where they dragged

arrested my father where they dragged him wealth you know your fun of all of

him wealth you know your fun of all of

him wealth you know your fun of all of us and they handcuffed and they fight

us and they handcuffed and they fight

us and they handcuffed and they fight for that him and I felt I remember the

for that him and I felt I remember the

for that him and I felt I remember the feeling of being so powerless that was

feeling of being so powerless that was

feeling of being so powerless that was the most powerless moment in my life and

the most powerless moment in my life and

the most powerless moment in my life and I I remember not one thing to feel that

I I remember not one thing to feel that

I I remember not one thing to feel that way ever again and after he disappeared

way ever again and after he disappeared

way ever again and after he disappeared that night we found out later he was

that night we found out later he was

that night we found out later he was beaten still blind fold that in

beaten still blind fold that in

beaten still blind fold that in handcuffed by the Chief of Police of

handcuffed by the Chief of Police of

handcuffed by the Chief of Police of Malaysia and he was left untreated

Malaysia and he was left untreated

Malaysia and he was left untreated conscious for this so but you know

conscious for this so but you know

conscious for this so but you know what’s important is it wasn’t just my

what’s important is it wasn’t just my

what’s important is it wasn’t just my family there was cause of others

family there was cause of others

family there was cause of others presidents of non-governmental

presidents of non-governmental

presidents of non-governmental organizations who pledged support and

organizations who pledged support and

organizations who pledged support and sympathy for unknow Ibrahim and the

sympathy for unknow Ibrahim and the

sympathy for unknow Ibrahim and the reform movement they were all detail so

reform movement they were all detail so

reform movement they were all detail so when you had family members who felt so

when you had family members who felt so

when you had family members who felt so angry they blamed one person who was

angry they blamed one person who was

angry they blamed one person who was responsible for taking away their loved

responsible for taking away their loved

responsible for taking away their loved ones so for me for more than a week we

ones so for me for more than a week we

ones so for me for more than a week we could not see him we didn’t know where

could not see him we didn’t know where

could not see him we didn’t know where he was and then we started just

he was and then we started just

he was and then we started just basically writing letters at the time in

basically writing letters at the time in

basically writing letters at the time in 1998 the fax machine was the ball no one

1998 the fax machine was the ball no one

1998 the fax machine was the ball no one emailed anybody people just effect

emailed anybody people just effect

emailed anybody people just effect letters so that’s what we did we fetch

letters so that’s what we did we fetch

letters so that’s what we did we fetch the police station bombarding them with

the police station bombarding them with

the police station bombarding them with requests demands to see our father and

requests demands to see our father and

requests demands to see our father and finally one day Hana

finally one day Hana

finally one day Hana my younger sister she was six at the

my younger sister she was six at the

my younger sister she was six at the time she fell ill and doing her illness

time she fell ill and doing her illness

time she fell ill and doing her illness she also decided scribble or not to most

she also decided scribble or not to most

she also decided scribble or not to most Hassan that then investigating officer

Hassan that then investigating officer

Hassan that then investigating officer and she wrote in that note we’re simply

and she wrote in that note we’re simply

and she wrote in that note we’re simply to one Haneda mom Hannah not jumper Papa

to one Haneda mom Hannah not jumper Papa

to one Haneda mom Hannah not jumper Papa and she placed a tiny thumbprint and

and she placed a tiny thumbprint and

and she placed a tiny thumbprint and believe it or not within 24 hours we did

believe it or not within 24 hours we did

believe it or not within 24 hours we did get to see our father and it was very

get to see our father and it was very

get to see our father and it was very difficult and painful to see him because

difficult and painful to see him because

difficult and painful to see him because he was so frail was beaten but he still

he was so frail was beaten but he still

he was so frail was beaten but he still had the same smile and that’s still

had the same smile and that’s still

had the same smile and that’s still strong spirit and you know I just did to

strong spirit and you know I just did to

strong spirit and you know I just did to share with you I mean Hana scroll

share with you I mean Hana scroll

share with you I mean Hana scroll Hannah’s thumbprint if a six-year-old

Hannah’s thumbprint if a six-year-old

Hannah’s thumbprint if a six-year-old could manage to exact change I mean that

could manage to exact change I mean that

could manage to exact change I mean that was the moment I felt no one was

was the moment I felt no one was

was the moment I felt no one was powerless so my father’s imprisonment

powerless so my father’s imprisonment

powerless so my father’s imprisonment was the ultimate crisis in my life it’s

was the ultimate crisis in my life it’s

was the ultimate crisis in my life it’s a good crisis because as you know in

a good crisis because as you know in

a good crisis because as you know in life you’re never going to be devoid of

life you’re never going to be devoid of

life you’re never going to be devoid of any problems but in hindsight it was

any problems but in hindsight it was

any problems but in hindsight it was also the fate they brought about greater

also the fate they brought about greater

also the fate they brought about greater heights of maturity and a very steep

heights of maturity and a very steep

heights of maturity and a very steep learning curve that was very valuable

learning curve that was very valuable

learning curve that was very valuable for me so I had to take off a year from

for me so I had to take off a year from

for me so I had to take off a year from my studies which is very difficult

my studies which is very difficult

my studies which is very difficult unlike most of you actually love do

unlike most of you actually love do

unlike most of you actually love do University life and at 18 I was a real

University life and at 18 I was a real

University life and at 18 I was a real nerd at 18 I became and began this

nerd at 18 I became and began this

nerd at 18 I became and began this nationwide and and sort of world white

nationwide and and sort of world white

nationwide and and sort of world white world alone many others to meet with

world alone many others to meet with

world alone many others to meet with concern activists and Malaysians

concern activists and Malaysians

concern activists and Malaysians everywhere to seek support not just for

everywhere to seek support not just for

everywhere to seek support not just for the release of my father and other

the release of my father and other

the release of my father and other political prisoners but to promote the

political prisoners but to promote the

political prisoners but to promote the reform agenda and you know for me it was

reform agenda and you know for me it was

reform agenda and you know for me it was very important because if the second

very important because if the second

very important because if the second most powerful man in the country could

most powerful man in the country could

most powerful man in the country could be treated so unjustly imagine the

be treated so unjustly imagine the

be treated so unjustly imagine the average person in Malaysia imagine the

average person in Malaysia imagine the

average person in Malaysia imagine the panel from Guam oosa imagine the Orang

panel from Guam oosa imagine the Orang

panel from Guam oosa imagine the Orang Asli from rawa imagined refugees some of

Asli from rawa imagined refugees some of

Asli from rawa imagined refugees some of whom I met

whom I met

whom I met the Police lockups and all detail in

the Police lockups and all detail in

the Police lockups and all detail in detention centers

detention centers

detention centers what militia and imagines their fate so

what militia and imagines their fate so

what militia and imagines their fate so I eventually was able to continue my

I eventually was able to continue my

I eventually was able to continue my studies at unit 10 but I wanted to tell

studies at unit 10 but I wanted to tell

studies at unit 10 but I wanted to tell you I was actually denied from

you I was actually denied from

you I was actually denied from International Islamic University the

International Islamic University the

International Islamic University the University my father founded and funded

University my father founded and funded

University my father founded and funded and the reason was I was too politically

and the reason was I was too politically

and the reason was I was too politically toxic to be allowed in so it is good

toxic to be allowed in so it is good

toxic to be allowed in so it is good because you can empathize with the

because you can empathize with the

because you can empathize with the plight of many others and of course I

plight of many others and of course I

plight of many others and of course I shied away from a formal political rule

shied away from a formal political rule

shied away from a formal political rule for myself for as long as I could I took

for myself for as long as I could I took

for myself for as long as I could I took up engineering and by 2008 scores of my

up engineering and by 2008 scores of my

up engineering and by 2008 scores of my comrades who decided to contest in their

comrades who decided to contest in their

comrades who decided to contest in their particular elections and they asked him

particular elections and they asked him

particular elections and they asked him to join along and I thought you know if

to join along and I thought you know if

to join along and I thought you know if I didn’t do this and if I just joined

I didn’t do this and if I just joined

I didn’t do this and if I just joined shell or any other multinational

shell or any other multinational

shell or any other multinational companies I might live to regret that

companies I might live to regret that

companies I might live to regret that decision

decision

decision I had to be part of such a pivotal

I had to be part of such a pivotal

I had to be part of such a pivotal moment when I lose I mean it was such an

moment when I lose I mean it was such an

moment when I lose I mean it was such an important moment for democracy requires

important moment for democracy requires

important moment for democracy requires Democrats and reform requires reformists

Democrats and reform requires reformists

Democrats and reform requires reformists so in 2008 I join my colleagues and

so in 2008 I join my colleagues and

so in 2008 I join my colleagues and extremely supportive people of the BOP

extremely supportive people of the BOP

extremely supportive people of the BOP and I assured me into that they were not

and I assured me into that they were not

and I assured me into that they were not yet I remember something I was just born

yet I remember something I was just born

yet I remember something I was just born my first child and you know of course

my first child and you know of course

my first child and you know of course you hadn’t extended families Member of

you hadn’t extended families Member of

you hadn’t extended families Member of Parliament but it was just really

Parliament but it was just really

Parliament but it was just really wonderful you know it was really a sense

wonderful you know it was really a sense

wonderful you know it was really a sense of empowerment because people entrusted

of empowerment because people entrusted

of empowerment because people entrusted you with such an important role to be

you with such an important role to be

you with such an important role to be their representative in the parliament

their representative in the parliament

their representative in the parliament so what do I do so you know I was driven

so what do I do so you know I was driven

so what do I do so you know I was driven because I didn’t want to just be a

because I didn’t want to just be a

because I didn’t want to just be a passive follower I wanted to be an

passive follower I wanted to be an

passive follower I wanted to be an active participant this is what my

active participant this is what my

active participant this is what my country and the future is supposed to be

country and the future is supposed to be

country and the future is supposed to be what I partake and decide to do with it

what I partake and decide to do with it

what I partake and decide to do with it and somewhere along the way I wanted to

and somewhere along the way I wanted to

and somewhere along the way I wanted to right the wrongs that’s been committed

right the wrongs that’s been committed

right the wrongs that’s been committed reportedly how else would I prove I

reportedly how else would I prove I

reportedly how else would I prove I wasn’t just unwise doctor I care a lot

wasn’t just unwise doctor I care a lot

wasn’t just unwise doctor I care a lot about the realization of reforms it

about the realization of reforms it

about the realization of reforms it wasn’t just about I’m lost freedom that

wasn’t just about I’m lost freedom that

wasn’t just about I’m lost freedom that would make me feel that’s enough let’s

would make me feel that’s enough let’s

would make me feel that’s enough let’s go back to life let’s go back to the

go back to life let’s go back to the

go back to life let’s go back to the normalcy of being an engineer in a

normalcy of being an engineer in a

normalcy of being an engineer in a multinational company but life is really

multinational company but life is really

multinational company but life is really what we experience day to day not this

what we experience day to day not this

what we experience day to day not this idea of perfection we think we deserve

idea of perfection we think we deserve

idea of perfection we think we deserve one way or the other

one way or the other

one way or the other I wanted Malaysia to Accord equal

I wanted Malaysia to Accord equal

I wanted Malaysia to Accord equal opportunities to all citizens I wanted

opportunities to all citizens I wanted

opportunities to all citizens I wanted the rule of law to thrive I wanted

the rule of law to thrive I wanted

the rule of law to thrive I wanted multiracialism to be our binding force

multiracialism to be our binding force

multiracialism to be our binding force and I wanted to see an end to racial and

and I wanted to see an end to racial and

and I wanted to see an end to racial and religious politics and of course I

religious politics and of course I

religious politics and of course I wanted the media to be the vanguard to

wanted the media to be the vanguard to

wanted the media to be the vanguard to voice out against any excesses did you

voice out against any excesses did you

voice out against any excesses did you know most of all I want to Sofia and

know most of all I want to Sofia and

know most of all I want to Sofia and Harris my children to grow up in a

Harris my children to grow up in a

Harris my children to grow up in a country that will celebrate their

country that will celebrate their

country that will celebrate their talents not based on who they know or

talents not based on who they know or

talents not based on who they know or who they didn’t know we’re really having

who they didn’t know we’re really having

who they didn’t know we’re really having the equal opportunity to thrive and

the equal opportunity to thrive and

the equal opportunity to thrive and succeed and the system it meant witches

succeed and the system it meant witches

succeed and the system it meant witches and earth all these experiences against

and earth all these experiences against

and earth all these experiences against me my comrades and many other Malaysians

me my comrades and many other Malaysians

me my comrades and many other Malaysians it would seem failed all of us and also

it would seem failed all of us and also

it would seem failed all of us and also failed to not Mahathir Mohamad who came

failed to not Mahathir Mohamad who came

failed to not Mahathir Mohamad who came to realize it by 2015 so can you imagine

to realize it by 2015 so can you imagine

to realize it by 2015 so can you imagine after all those years by September 2016

after all those years by September 2016

after all those years by September 2016 something huge happened as Bernie

something huge happened as Bernie

something huge happened as Bernie Sanders would put it huge right this

Sanders would put it huge right this

Sanders would put it huge right this former prime minister who reigned over

former prime minister who reigned over

former prime minister who reigned over Malaysia for 22 years decided to bring

Malaysia for 22 years decided to bring

Malaysia for 22 years decided to bring himself to court to support Anwar my

himself to court to support Anwar my

himself to court to support Anwar my father the man he imprisoned 18 years

father the man he imprisoned 18 years

father the man he imprisoned 18 years earlier in a–not a suit against the

earlier in a–not a suit against the

earlier in a–not a suit against the government’s new national security laws

government’s new national security laws

government’s new national security laws which we considered laconian I arrived

which we considered laconian I arrived

which we considered laconian I arrived to cut a little bit ID but the big news

to cut a little bit ID but the big news

to cut a little bit ID but the big news that shook everyone

that shook everyone

that shook everyone was the handshake that took place

was the handshake that took place

was the handshake that took place between the two who had not met each

between the two who had not met each

between the two who had not met each other for 18 long years

other for 18 long years

other for 18 long years so entered the the witness room where

so entered the the witness room where

so entered the the witness room where they said together and I saw a hunched

they said together and I saw a hunched

they said together and I saw a hunched over 92 year old man looking pensively

over 92 year old man looking pensively

over 92 year old man looking pensively almost gently I could not bring myself

almost gently I could not bring myself

almost gently I could not bring myself to shake his hands yet it was so

to shake his hands yet it was so

to shake his hands yet it was so overwhelming like the emotions but I

overwhelming like the emotions but I

overwhelming like the emotions but I felt sad I remember feeling said in my

felt sad I remember feeling said in my

felt sad I remember feeling said in my grandfather was alive he would be the

grandfather was alive he would be the

grandfather was alive he would be the same age as done are they you know and

same age as done are they you know and

same age as done are they you know and having that resolve to come to court

having that resolve to come to court

having that resolve to come to court play a Jing principal support against

play a Jing principal support against

play a Jing principal support against this extreme law I mean the activist in

this extreme law I mean the activist in

this extreme law I mean the activist in me you know had to applaud that you know

me you know had to applaud that you know

me you know had to applaud that you know yeah I I find myself you know I was

yeah I I find myself you know I was

yeah I I find myself you know I was caught not to hit the individual person

caught not to hit the individual person

caught not to hit the individual person and I don’t hate him I felt sad I felt

and I don’t hate him I felt sad I felt

and I don’t hate him I felt sad I felt said that all these years have passed on

said that all these years have passed on

said that all these years have passed on gone by with so much hurt and pain and I

gone by with so much hurt and pain and I

gone by with so much hurt and pain and I also wanted is to focus on the actions

also wanted is to focus on the actions

also wanted is to focus on the actions against fighting injustice so I told

against fighting injustice so I told

against fighting injustice so I told myself then I’m going to be ready to

myself then I’m going to be ready to

myself then I’m going to be ready to observe his actions I’m going to support

observe his actions I’m going to support

observe his actions I’m going to support them if they were aligned with my

them if they were aligned with my

them if they were aligned with my principles and I think when I finally

principles and I think when I finally

principles and I think when I finally came home that night you know initially

came home that night you know initially

came home that night you know initially you felt very angry you know so many

you felt very angry you know so many

you felt very angry you know so many emotions but I felt this hatred for

emotions but I felt this hatred for

emotions but I felt this hatred for Mohave that I had kept for so long

Mohave that I had kept for so long

Mohave that I had kept for so long against his actions of course but still

against his actions of course but still

against his actions of course but still there’s a lot of bitterness was directed

there’s a lot of bitterness was directed

there’s a lot of bitterness was directed at this person who may have has have had

at this person who may have has have had

at this person who may have has have had his own epiphany was I ready to change

his own epiphany was I ready to change

his own epiphany was I ready to change myself as well you know forgiveness is a

myself as well you know forgiveness is a

myself as well you know forgiveness is a funny thing when you forgive others

funny thing when you forgive others

funny thing when you forgive others eventually forgive the most bitter part

eventually forgive the most bitter part

eventually forgive the most bitter part of

of

of self and you learn to move on because

self and you learn to move on because

self and you learn to move on because people like to move and walk with a huge

people like to move and walk with a huge

people like to move and walk with a huge chip on your shoulder

chip on your shoulder

chip on your shoulder you can’t walk straight that way you

you can’t walk straight that way you

you can’t walk straight that way you need to be able to let go of your ghosts

need to be able to let go of your ghosts

need to be able to let go of your ghosts so that hand was an important

so that hand was an important

so that hand was an important stepping stone for united nation long

stepping stone for united nation long

stepping stone for united nation long divided by painful strife we needed to

divided by painful strife we needed to

divided by painful strife we needed to meant we needed to heal really I needed

meant we needed to heal really I needed

meant we needed to heal really I needed to heal and will the reforms and I’m

to heal and will the reforms and I’m

to heal and will the reforms and I’m proud to say that I believed in unity

proud to say that I believed in unity

proud to say that I believed in unity based on principle and a proven public

based on principle and a proven public

based on principle and a proven public commitment to change that only is it

commitment to change that only is it

commitment to change that only is it justified to let those who hurt us in

justified to let those who hurt us in

justified to let those who hurt us in the past even in seemingly helping us to

the past even in seemingly helping us to

the past even in seemingly helping us to do good for others so I started to past

do good for others so I started to past

do good for others so I started to past with that handshake the first in

with that handshake the first in

with that handshake the first in engaging to Mohave and his team

engaging to Mohave and his team

engaging to Mohave and his team clarifying the issue reform I see there

clarifying the issue reform I see there

clarifying the issue reform I see there were essential crucial for my side

were essential crucial for my side

were essential crucial for my side before we could have a United

before we could have a United

before we could have a United collaboration and the second was

collaboration and the second was

collaboration and the second was reflecting on the wisdom to do what was

reflecting on the wisdom to do what was

reflecting on the wisdom to do what was best for our nation above my personal

best for our nation above my personal

best for our nation above my personal angst and you know I believe that we

angst and you know I believe that we

angst and you know I believe that we should forgive those who commit to

should forgive those who commit to

should forgive those who commit to change I want to join with good but

change I want to join with good but

change I want to join with good but believing that in your mind and feeling

believing that in your mind and feeling

believing that in your mind and feeling it in your heart and then putting it

it in your heart and then putting it

it in your heart and then putting it into practice are very different things

into practice are very different things

into practice are very different things so five months after the handshake I

so five months after the handshake I

so five months after the handshake I found myself face to face sharing the

found myself face to face sharing the

found myself face to face sharing the stage with Tonetta Mahathir Mohamad on

stage with Tonetta Mahathir Mohamad on

stage with Tonetta Mahathir Mohamad on the 14th of February this year and after

the 14th of February this year and after

the 14th of February this year and after months and months of back-channel

months and months of back-channel

months and months of back-channel negotiations to confirm his real change

negotiations to confirm his real change

negotiations to confirm his real change and my own months of self introspection

and my own months of self introspection

and my own months of self introspection I invited him for my fundraising dinner

I invited him for my fundraising dinner

I invited him for my fundraising dinner and because for me to maha day was open

and because for me to maha day was open

and because for me to maha day was open to join a unity for principle and

to join a unity for principle and

to join a unity for principle and because i had also succeeded overcoming

because i had also succeeded overcoming

because i had also succeeded overcoming my own pain and anger to focus on what

my own pain and anger to focus on what

my own pain and anger to focus on what was necessary for justice to prevail and

was necessary for justice to prevail and

was necessary for justice to prevail and so the dinner for your benefit was held

so the dinner for your benefit was held

so the dinner for your benefit was held in the fourth in a february and i didn’t

in the fourth in a february and i didn’t

in the fourth in a february and i didn’t have the chance to seek javi joeys

have the chance to seek javi joeys

have the chance to seek javi joeys approval but i referred

approval but i referred

approval but i referred as Valentine’s Day for your benefit not

as Valentine’s Day for your benefit not

as Valentine’s Day for your benefit not mine but it just became so important

mine but it just became so important

mine but it just became so important because both of us didn’t really have

because both of us didn’t really have

because both of us didn’t really have private dates he brought his date and

private dates he brought his date and

private dates he brought his date and all ESMA and you know it was such a

all ESMA and you know it was such a

all ESMA and you know it was such a meaningful dig I guess and later when I

meaningful dig I guess and later when I

meaningful dig I guess and later when I met puddin maha day during Ramadan I was

met puddin maha day during Ramadan I was

met puddin maha day during Ramadan I was my first time sitting in his living room

my first time sitting in his living room

my first time sitting in his living room we agreed that we were gonna work

we agreed that we were gonna work

we agreed that we were gonna work towards the future and there you have it

towards the future and there you have it

towards the future and there you have it I can’t mention the particular name here

I can’t mention the particular name here

I can’t mention the particular name here but the issue is unity based on

but the issue is unity based on

but the issue is unity based on principles so my message today for all

principles so my message today for all

principles so my message today for all of you in all that you face all the

of you in all that you face all the

of you in all that you face all the challenges that you may have to overcome

challenges that you may have to overcome

challenges that you may have to overcome it’s about the imperative for action and

it’s about the imperative for action and

it’s about the imperative for action and the power of forgiveness we are all

the power of forgiveness we are all

the power of forgiveness we are all empowered one way or the other and it’s

empowered one way or the other and it’s

empowered one way or the other and it’s imperative that we take action in

imperative that we take action in

imperative that we take action in whatever we can to improve the situation

whatever we can to improve the situation

whatever we can to improve the situation in our lives and of course the community

in our lives and of course the community

in our lives and of course the community around us if the latter of a

around us if the latter of a

around us if the latter of a six-year-old could prove useful in

six-year-old could prove useful in

six-year-old could prove useful in securing a family visit to visit the a

securing a family visit to visit the a

securing a family visit to visit the a political prisoner of a father imagine

political prisoner of a father imagine

political prisoner of a father imagine what you can do you brains out here

what you can do you brains out here

what you can do you brains out here today if you’re retired ophthalmologist

today if you’re retired ophthalmologist

today if you’re retired ophthalmologist and an 18 year old together with a group

and an 18 year old together with a group

and an 18 year old together with a group of non political stakeholders can power

of non political stakeholders can power

of non political stakeholders can power an entire reform movement imagine what

an entire reform movement imagine what

an entire reform movement imagine what thousands of Malaysian University

thousands of Malaysian University

thousands of Malaysian University students can do if they get engaged and

students can do if they get engaged and

students can do if they get engaged and if I could confront my deepest fears

if I could confront my deepest fears

if I could confront my deepest fears regret and sadness to forgive and engage

regret and sadness to forgive and engage

regret and sadness to forgive and engage with a former dictator after he has

with a former dictator after he has

with a former dictator after he has decided to embrace reforms imagine what

decided to embrace reforms imagine what

decided to embrace reforms imagine what Malaysia can be we can really truly

Malaysia can be we can really truly

Malaysia can be we can really truly overcome anything now I think it’s very

overcome anything now I think it’s very

overcome anything now I think it’s very important to understand that we have to

important to understand that we have to

important to understand that we have to continuously stay involved and we have

continuously stay involved and we have

continuously stay involved and we have to always walk with a straight path

to always walk with a straight path

to always walk with a straight path without any chips on our shoulders you

without any chips on our shoulders you

without any chips on our shoulders you might be wanting to contribute to your

might be wanting to contribute to your

might be wanting to contribute to your university you might we wanted to

university you might we wanted to

university you might we wanted to contribute to a non-governmental

contribute to a non-governmental

contribute to a non-governmental organization you might be wanting to

organization you might be wanting to

organization you might be wanting to stand for elections

stand for elections

stand for elections but what’s important here focused

but what’s important here focused

but what’s important here focused what’s important here is really you have

what’s important here is really you have

what’s important here is really you have to do it with a clear conscience and you

to do it with a clear conscience and you

to do it with a clear conscience and you can’t do it with a hang-up whatever has

can’t do it with a hang-up whatever has

can’t do it with a hang-up whatever has happened to you in the past when you

happened to you in the past when you

happened to you in the past when you offer yourself you can’t offer it with a

offer yourself you can’t offer it with a

offer yourself you can’t offer it with a ghost of your past hanging over you it’s

ghost of your past hanging over you it’s

ghost of your past hanging over you it’s about moving forward it’s about building

about moving forward it’s about building

about moving forward it’s about building and powering the future life is very

and powering the future life is very

and powering the future life is very beautiful every second that you live it

beautiful every second that you live it

beautiful every second that you live it and I always thought being an engineer

and I always thought being an engineer

and I always thought being an engineer was far better but heck no heck no I

was far better but heck no heck no I

was far better but heck no heck no I mean heck no so for me you know I’ve met

mean heck no so for me you know I’ve met

mean heck no so for me you know I’ve met so many people learn from the best and

so many people learn from the best and

so many people learn from the best and my best moment I tell you was when I was

my best moment I tell you was when I was

my best moment I tell you was when I was actually detained beside two and four

actually detained beside two and four

actually detained beside two and four year old Vietnamese refugees because

year old Vietnamese refugees because

year old Vietnamese refugees because I’ve seen how these kids can survive and

I’ve seen how these kids can survive and

I’ve seen how these kids can survive and smile and laugh in the lockup cell and I

smile and laugh in the lockup cell and I

smile and laugh in the lockup cell and I told myself I would not create that

told myself I would not create that

told myself I would not create that moment experience for just working in a

moment experience for just working in a

moment experience for just working in a multinational company not a it’s not

multinational company not a it’s not

multinational company not a it’s not good it’s good nice good it’s very

good it’s good nice good it’s very

good it’s good nice good it’s very useful you see the money is good but

useful you see the money is good but

useful you see the money is good but allow me to end by saying my dear

allow me to end by saying my dear

allow me to end by saying my dear students and my dearest colleagues and

students and my dearest colleagues and

students and my dearest colleagues and comrades if I could finish my

comrades if I could finish my

comrades if I could finish my presentation in sharing session with you

presentation in sharing session with you

presentation in sharing session with you today with one thought just let it be

today with one thought just let it be

today with one thought just let it be be empowered take action please make

be empowered take action please make

be empowered take action please make Malaysia your Valentines

Malaysia your Valentines

Malaysia your Valentines thank you

”

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