My Unforgettable Encounter With Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim
"The whole encounter lasted only a few minutes, but it's a memory I'll never forget."
By Veena — 07 Feb 2025, 09:53 PM — Updated 28 days ago
"Ah, you just missed the prime minister," Senator Saraswathy Kandasami casually remarked in the middle of our chat
My brain barely had time to process her words, but my instincts kicked in.
I was not about to miss this chance.
In a split second, I excused myself and bolted down the corridors of parliament, determined to meet Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
A chaotic, thrilling pursuit
Navigating the maze-like halls of parliament isn't easy, especially with the crowd of politicians, aides, and media. But all I could think about was one thing: catching up to DSAI.
And of course, things didn't exactly go as planned. In the middle of my sprint, my heels came off! But no worries, lah — I quickly slipped them back on and kept running.
Finally, there he was: DSAI, walking with his usual calm, composed vibe, surrounded by his team.
Time seemed to slow as I called out, "DSAI!" He turned, and that instant, his warm smile made every second of my sprint worth it.
A moment to remember
I quickly explained to him the purpose of my organisation, Dewan Belia India Malaysia (DBIM), and how this encounter meant so much to me.
Pinning the enamel pin on his suit felt like a huge task in that moment!
Noticing my nervousness, he gently tapped my shoulder and said, "Rilek."
His calm reassured me, and I managed to pin the gift on his suit.
Then, he asked, "Where are you coming from?"
"Johor," I replied, a little out of breath but also feeling proud.
He nodded and said, "Nandri (thank you)," before continuing his walk with his team.
It was a spontaneous, unscripted moment. However, when I shared my experience online later, some netizens thought it was a staged encounter.
"This looks too pre-planned," they said.
But I can tell you, it was anything but! It was an honest moment of adrenaline, determination, and maybe a bit of luck.
Some comments made me smile:
"Moga yg terbaik buat DSAI... cute time DSAI tepuk2 bahu sis tu... mungkin dia nak kurangkan rse debar/gemuruh sis tu kan..."
"Wahhh baguslah u sis... dah berapa lama training jalan laju nak kejar PMX ni?"
"Wow, u really sleek n fast ya... hats off u my blood!"
There were also some more serious comments.
One person raised a security concern, "Suspend semua bodyguard kan... Kotlh ada apa2 sabotaj ke... Tp PMX tetap menyantuni.."
Another commented, "The security must be tighter for him... only he stops them to accept any person... because he is the most important man... he is a fighter..."
While I get the importance of security, I also believe that a bit of human connection doesn't hurt. DSAI was still able to greet me warmly even with all the security around him.
Then came this fun comment, "Best Deepavali drama!"
It honestly did feel like something out of a drama — complete with a chase and a dramatic ending!
One more light-hearted comment read, "Ahli muda ni tak takut boss SS marah ka nanti?"
I couldn't stop laughing. I guess my excitement to meet DSAI made me forget about any possible consequences!
The takeaway: seize the moment
The whole encounter lasted only a few minutes, but it's a memory I'll never forget.
Meeting the prime minister wasn't just a personal achievement — it reminded me of the importance of showing up, speaking out, and grabbing every opportunity that comes your way.
If there's one thing, I've learned from this, it's this: life doesn't wait for you. When the chance comes, you need to take it with everything you've got. And if you're lucky, it could lead to something extraordinary.
This story is part of the YouthSAYS initiative and is the personal opinion of the writer.
About the contributor:
A proud native of Johor, Veena has been residing in Tebrau since birth.
Actively involved in politics and activism since the age of 19, Veena's passion for upholding social justice, driving impactful change in national development, and addressing people's issues has been the key motivator for her to venture into politics since her university days. Additionally, she is passionate about empowering youth in politics and championing youth-oriented politics.
She is the co-founder of a social movement group Dewan Belia India Malaysia (DBIM).
DBIM was established on 16 October, 2021 by Kiran Raj Sathivel and launched by Batu member of parliament (MP) Prabakaran and co-founder of UNDI18 Tharmelinggem Pillai.
The program aims to raise political awareness among Indian youth by involving 70 representatives from across Malaysia. It is organised in collaboration with UNDI18 and supported by various student movements, political party wings, and NGOs.
DBIM also has support from MPs, activists, and assemblypersons as mentors and speakers.
Currently, Veena serves as a junior councillor under the Johor state government.
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