Wan Azizah Wan Ismail

Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, born on December third, nineteen fifty-two, is a prominent Malaysian politician and ophthalmologist. She made history as the first woman to serve as the deputy prime minister of Malaysia from two thousand eighteen to two thousand twenty. A member of the People's Justice Party, she has represented Bandar Tun Razak in the Parliament of Malaysia since two thousand twenty-two.

Born in the Colony of Singapore, Wan Azizah graduated from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. She practiced as a government doctor specializing in ophthalmology for fourteen years before transitioning into politics in nineteen ninety-eight, following her husband Anwar Ibrahim's dismissal as the seventh deputy prime minister of Malaysia. She played a pivotal role in the Reformasi movement and founded the National Justice Party, which later became the People's Justice Party, making her the second woman to lead a parliamentary party in Malaysia.

Her political journey began with a victory in the Permatang Pauh seat in nineteen ninety-nine, which she retained in two thousand four. Although she briefly stepped aside in two thousand eight for her husband's return, she continued to lead the party as it evolved into a significant opposition force. In April two thousand eight, she became Malaysia's first female leader of the Opposition, although she resigned later that year to allow her husband to take over.

Wan Azizah's commitment to human rights and active participation in domestic debates on governance and land issues marked her tenure in opposition. She won the Kajang by-election in two thousand fourteen and reclaimed her Permatang Pauh seat in two thousand fifteen. In two thousand eighteen, she won the Pandan seat and was appointed as the deputy prime minister while also serving as the minister of women, family, and community development. After leaving office during the political crisis in two thousand twenty, she returned to the Dewan Rakyat in two thousand twenty-two, winning the Bandar Tun Razak seat. Following her husband's appointment as prime minister, she became the spouse of the prime minister.