EXACTLY 10 years ago, on March 8, 2008, I became the youngest candidate to win a seat in those historic elections. 

Before March 8, 2008, Barisan Nasional held 90% of the seats in Parliament.

Before March 8, 2008, the only state not ruled by BN was Kelantan.

Before March 8, 2008, PKR had only one seat – Permatang Pauh.

Before March 8, 2008, only two of the 56 state assembly seats in Selangor were held by the opposition –both by DAP.

On March 8, 2008, I was just 26 years old – and just two years after joining Anwar Ibrahim’s office. 

I was roped in to run as PKR’s candidate for Seri Setia.

I was reluctant to do so but the party was looking for good candidates. With a few friends, I started a voluntary tuition project in Desa Mentari, the largest low-cost flats project in Seri Setia. 

My opponent, the incumbent, was a senior Wanita Umno leader and state exco who won the seat in 2004 by nearly 13,000 votes.

On March 8, 2008, the people were tired of weak leadership, rising crime and racial politics. 

On March 8, 2008, the people were angry and ready for a change. 

On March 8, 2008, as we know, we made history. 

On March 8, 2008, I won Seri Setia with a majority of 2,863. 

PKR, DAP and PAS eventually formed what became a Pakatan Rakyat state government in Selangor.

PAS held on to Kelantan, while Pakatan Rakyat formed the state government in Perak, Kedah and Penang.

On March 8, 2008, BN was denied the two-thirds majority to which it had felt it was entitled.

Fast forward to 2013 and Malaysians went to the polls again – many energised and optimistic.

Pakatan Rakyat, led by Anwar, won 51% of the popular vote, but Umno-BN retained power, thanks mainly to the gerrymandering and malapportionment that prevail on how our legislative seats are delineated.

Things have not been easy since then. Anwar has again been jailed unjustly again.

We lost icons, such as Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and Karpal Singh.

Difficult, but necessary choices were made, such as the replacement of the Selangor menteri besar.

What was not necessary was PAS’ decision to break with Pakatan Rakyat. 

Thankfully, its members who still believed in positive change for Malaysia formed Amanah.

From Pakatan Rakyat, Pakatan Harapan was born via PKR, DAP and Amanah.

At the same time, the split in Umno resulted in its leaders – Muhyiddin Yassin, Mukhriz Mahathir, Shafie Apdal and former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad – leaving the party.

Shafie went on to form Warisan in Sabah while the rest have reconfigured their movement as Bersatu. The latter is now a member of PH. Warisan is working with the coalition in Sabah. 

In turn, the coalition has named Dr Mahathir as its prime minister and Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as deputy prime minister candidates. Anwar, when he is released and is back in Parliament, will then be our candidate as prime minister.

To say that Malaysian politics, particularly on the opposition spectrum, has changed dramatically is an understatement. 

Indeed, many have criticised PH’s decision to embrace Dr Mahathir and Bersatu.

The move has been attacked by various quarters as either a betrayal of the spirit of the nearly two-decade old Reformasi movement, a cynical play for power or at the very best, a failure of the opposition parties to regenerate themselves.

I am not unaware of the criticism.

And I know that many of the people making them feel that they have the country’s and cause of freedom’s best interests at heart.

But I also believe that the steps taken by the PH leadership is the best for our parties, our alliance and more importantly, for Malaysians.

It is crucial that all sectors who want positive political change in Malaysia and correct the abuses of the current government to unite.

Our country is diverse and to be frank, fragmented, especially in terms of political beliefs and attitudes towards ethnicity, language and faith. 

Any viable political coalition or alliance will have to be a big tent. Compromise will be necessary, including on the thorny issues touching on identity politics. 

I believe in my heart of hearts that the time is coming soon when genuinely progressive politics will have its time in the Malaysian sun.

And I believe that my generation – and the generation that is rising after us – will soon be able to take the mantle to lead our parties, our people and our country. 

But all of this cannot happen – it will never happen – under the status quo.

And the status quo cannot change, it will never change, without a change of government at the federal level. 

This is an old saying but it rings true time and time again in politics: disunity is death. 

The next elections will be very challenging, not least because multi-cornered fights will almost certainly happen.

But I am hopeful. 

In 2018, the people are still tired of weak leadership, rising crime and racial politics. They are ready to move beyond corruption allegations as well as rising cost of living. 

In 2018, the people are still angry and ready for a change. They are ready for a better education system, more accessible jobs, housing and healthcare, for a government responsive to the common man rather than vested interests. 

In 2018, we can make history again.

2018 is the year that Malaysians who believe in good governance, genuine multiracialism and civil liberties must stand together. 

2018 is the year that we will hold Dr Mahathir to his promise to commit to political reform. 

2018 is the year that I hope our friends in civil society, including those who have embraced the “undi rosak” movement, join us to fight for the future of Malaysia. I hope they will give us their ideas and feedback – but also their energy and support.

2018 must be the year that the promises, the hope and optimism of 2008 and 2013 are fulfilled. 

2018 must be the year that Malaysians vote for change, for a new start and a better tomorrow for all our children – for that final push of a change of federal government that we have never experienced since Merdeka. – March 8, 2018.

* Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad is Pakatan Harapan and PKR Youth leader, Selangor exco and Seri Setia assemblyman. He has authored several books in Malay and English. A Liverpool fan, he is an incorrigible optimist.