INTERVIEW | It wasn’t that long ago that Fadhlina Sidek was best known as a women’s rights activist fighting from within the syariah court system. However, in the last two years, she has made a dramatic transition to full-blown political activity.

This culminated in her appointment to the Dewan Negara on Sept 1, 2021, and her recent election as head of PKR’s Women’s wing.

When met at her office in Shah Alam, Selangor, Fadhlina, 45, was determined to ensure that her party, which popularised the slogan “Reformasi” (reformation), continues to evolve.

As she told Malaysiakini in an exclusive interview, this means voters can expect to see the party fielding many new faces when the next general election comes around.

“It’s been quite a busy time for me. Yes, I won the party election for Women’s chief, but it was close and I only won after...