“Kind, generous, compassionate, humble and a smiling gentleman,” K. Doreen, a former Malaysia Airlines stewardess, described PMX Anwar Ibrahim when she first met him on 18th May 2006.
Serving him and his wife Azizah in business class on the KL-New York flight MH90 was “indeed an honour,” former stewardess Doreen recalled the day 18 years ago.
“He looks even better in person now. Serving Anwar was a pleasure. He was a gentleman, a far cry from some of those pompous and rude passengers in the first and business class. His warm smile made me feel at ease,” said Doreen.
“But, when he boarded the aircraft, I froze as I saw him for the first time. I felt a change in the air, like it was charged with electricity. Everything looked brighter and fresh. He seemed to emit positive energy,” Doreen reminisced the great feelings.
After the takeoff from KLIA, meals were served. Doreen said: “His wife, Azizah bless her; she was so sporting as she allowed the visitors to Anwar get closer to him and vacated her seat. She smiled and walked to the back of the aisle, giving space to the others to meet and greet him. The short moment with him is precious, and I will cherish it forever,” she told in an interview.
Anwar was on the flight to Georgetown University after he was released from prison in early 2004. “I shared with him my sincere feelings about his trials and his being a victim of injustice. I told him I do not believe a single word they say about him in the news or gossip. They are just jealous and wanted to bring him down. I trust and support you, and I know you will be there someday as the Prime Minister of Malaysia, where you rightfully belong. Anwar replied ‘Insyallah’ (God willing). There was Wawasan 2020, but I had Wawasan 2022, and Anwar would be PM.”
Fleeting thoughts ran through her as he slept like an angel on the long flight. “Oh, My God! This man is so modest. Back to the real world, last year, as I was walking to cast my vote on 19th November 2022, my hunch was that Anwar’s party would win in the General Elections and Anwar will be the Prime Minister. There was so much excitement, jumping for joy, screaming our lungs out when we heard Anwar won. I felt a quiet, calm stillness and thanked God, who heard my prayers for him.
“After all the hardship, suffering and painful journey, along the way, Anwar absorbed all the wisdom and knowledge, epiphanies if you will, to prepare him to be what and who he is today. He has not only the hardware as a strong person but has the software of gentleness in reaching out to the people.”
Today, Doreen said: “There were many naysayers, disgusting people who laughed at me telling me that I don’t know politics. My gut feeling and unwavering belief in Anwar was right all along.”
Her sincere wish is: “Anwar, may your light shine so bright it strikes out all the evil dark forces that try to come between you and all the people who love, trust and support you. May you right all the wrongs in this country and unite us as one Malaysian race. I pray I will get a chance to meet you again and take that picture with you that I missed snapping on 18th May 2006,” said Doreen, who disclosed the thank you note Anwar wrote on the flight for her. (See picture of note). Thank you notes were Anwar’s way of expressing gratitude and appreciation. I got such notes from Anwar when I lent him books while he was serving his prison sentence. Anwar would return the book through his lawyer with a thank you note and some comments about the book I lent him.
He was on the MH flight to lecture at the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, where he spoke on contemporary politics in Southeast Asia, focusing on the role of Islam in shaping the region’s political evolution. He has also held lecturing positions at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and St. Anthony’s College at Oxford University.
Freelance Writer M. Krishnamoorthy (www.imkrishna.net) is a media coach, associate professor and undercover journalist. He has freelanced with Bernama, NST, The Star, and Malaysiakini. He also freelances as a fixer/coordinator for CNN, BBC, German and Australian Television networks and the New York Times. As an undercover journalist, he has highlighted society's concerns going undercover as a beggar, security guard, blind man, disabled salesman and Member of Parliament.
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