Three "princesses", defenders of their father
SHAH ALAM - What does Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi have in common? The answer is simple, these three major political figures all have faithful supportive daughters to their tale of struggles.
Throughout their scandals, controversies and court cases Nooryana Najwa Najib (Yana Najib), Nurul Izzah Anwar and NurulHidayah Ahmad Zahid are the “princesses” who bravely defend their father’s honour despite being hit with continuous issues.
This could be seen when Yana Najib appeared on the Umno stage during a special briefing by Zahid, the party president that took place at the World Trade Centre, Kuala Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.
Standing in front of hundreds of the secret party supporters, the atmosphere in Dewan Merdeka turned sad and sorrow when Yana began reading the letter sent by her father from Kajang Prison.
Among the contents written in the letter was her father’s condition in prison, events after Barisan Nasional (BN) lost the 14th General Election (GE14) and how he tried to rebuild Umno despite the many challenges they faced.
Najib is currently serving a prison sentence after the Federal Court rejected his final appeal to set aside his guilty conviction and sentence of 12 years in prison and a fine of RM210 million in connection with the embezzlement of SRC International funds worth RM42 million.
During Yana’s speech, she also had time to express an apology on Instagram to Najib, whom she calls 'daddy', for feeling that he was not strong enough to fight and strive and put too much faith in the judicial system.
Yana promised that she would try to bring her father home to the family safely and hoped that justice would be done.
Another “princess” who defended her father's fate after being hit controversy is Nurul Izzah Anwar, surely we cannot forget the name.
Once known as ‘Puteri Reformasi” Nurul Izzah, 42, went through the most difficult moment in her life in 1998 when her beloved father, who was also the Deputy Prime Minister at the time, was arrested by the police on charges of sexual misconduct Even though she was still young at that time, it was not an obstacle for Nurul Izzah to stand by her mother’s side, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and thousands of supporters on the streets demanding Anwar's release until the 1998 Reformation movement broke out.
Not only that, Nurul Izzah was also reported to have met the Philippines President Joseph Estrada seeking assistance to free her father. Clearly, Anwar’s eldest child was a major source of strength for the family.
What’s even more special, Nurul Izzah’s advantage is not only her charming looks but also inherited her father's political DNA to the extent of becoming a Lembah Pantai MP and later Permatang Pauh MP in the 14th General Election.
Now, she also holds the position of PKR’s Vice President.
Twenty-years on, the story of the struggle of a daughter who defended her father’s fate is repeated, this time featuring NurulHidayah - the eldest daughter of the Umno President.
In 2018, the 43-year old became the focus of many when she appeared emotional when speaking in front of supporters and media personnel following her father's arrest on allegations of 45 charges involving breach of trust, corruption and money laundering.
She expressed how she was not sad but rather angry and disappointed and questioned where the reform fighters were when her father was arrested.
Zahid later pleaded not guilty to all charges and was granted bail of RM2 million by the court.
It is definitely not easy to have a father who is influential figure in politics, what more if he is faced with court cases that will definitely affect his image and credibility, but as a child, the struggle of these three “princesses” can be reflected as a sign of love for a person with the title “father”.
Despite being slandered and insulted by others, it did little to shake their confidence in their respective fathers.
