Nurul said today that their mother, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah, would take a back seat as she needed time for herself, and Nurul and her siblings were more than ready to shoulder the task ahead of them.
"For 17 years, Dr Wan Azizah had to face the challenge herself. I believe her children are now all grown up. Nurul Hana in 1998 was only six years old, but now she can help more.
"Let her (Dr Wan Azizah) have her space. Facing the media is not easy even though everything has been all right so far," Nurul said at her father's home in Bukit Segambut, Kuala Lumpur.
The PKR vice-president vowed to continue the struggle for a better Malaysia, adding that her father had been convicted of sodomy because he posed the biggest threat to ruling party Umno.
"We are confident, because history and recent events, especially in Sri Lanka, have shown that the march for freedom and the rise of the rakyat will succeed," she said in a separate statement.
"Those who think that the power and riches they amassed through oppression and injustice will last forever must realise their time is up."
The Federal Court yesterday upheld the Court of Appeal's conviction and five-year jail sentence against Anwar for sodomising his former aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, in June 2008.
During the press conference today, Nurul Izzah's sister, Nurul Nuha, announced their 'March to Freedom' movement, aimed at freeing Anwar and giving a voice to oppressed Malaysians.
"Join us in our struggle and let us end this oppression together," said Nurul Nuha, 31.
She said after 17 years of dealing with pressure, slander, harassment and oppression, it had finally ended with Anwar behind bars again.
"Yesterday was a day full of tests. Our hope to see justice upheld was destroyed," she said, adding that she was grateful for all the support given to her family.
Nurul Nuha said Anwar had shown determination, courage, mercy and love all these years, and was the best example of an individual struggle against evil.
"These values will stay with us for as long as we live. As his children, we must take over the duties and continue the struggle, hopes and ambitions of our father.
"The past 17 years was a very long period. We don't know how much longer we will have to keep fighting, but we shall remain with our father until our last breath," said Nurul Nuha.
Several countries such as the US, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia are concerned about the Federal Court’s verdict.
They said Anwar’s case raises questions about the independence and fairness of Malaysia’s judiciary, and the country’s rule of law.
The High Commission of Canada said it was also concerned about selective prosecution under the Sedition Act in the country.
