Wan Azizah chosen as PKR candidate for Permatang Pauh by-election

SEBERANG JAYA: After being highly speculated as the chosen candidate for Permatang Pauh by-election scheduled on May 7, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail was announced as the party's candidate today.
PKR deputy president Datuk Mohamed Azmin Ali made the announcement at a gathering that was held at Seberang Prai Arena (SPARENA) here tonight.
Wan Azizah, 63, is no stranger in the country's political arena. She has held the seat from 1999 to 2008 and was the opposition leader in Parliament from March to August, 2008 when her husband, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, was incarcerated in prison for his first sodomy conviction.
In her speech, Wan Azizah took the chance to convey Anwar's message from prison to keep fighting PR's struggles and to be united in order to win the by-election.
"May Allah gives us strength and we shall continue this fight and retain the seat," she said.
The qualified ophthalmologist was born on Dec 3, 1952 and had her early education at St Nicholas Convent School.
She later continued her education at Tunku Kursiah College in Seremban before pursuing her studies at Royal College of Surgeon in Ireland.
Fondly known as "Kak Wan" among her supporters, she was also the first Malaysian women to be awarded a gold medal in obstetrics and gynaecology at the Royal College of Surgeon in Ireland.
The by-election is to be held after Anwar lost the seat when the Pardons Board rejected his appeal against a sodomy conviction.
He won the seat in the 2013 general election with a 11,721 majority by defeating Datuk Mazlan Ismail of Barisan Nasional (BN) and Independent Abdullah Zawawi Samsuddin.
Yesterday, BN named UMNO Permatang Pauh division secretary Suhaimi Sabudin, 44, as their candidate.
The heavy rain earlier did not stop more than 1,000 supporters witnessing the announcement.
Most of Pakatan Rakyat leaders including PAS deputy president Mohammad Sabu, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and PKR vice president attended the event.