KUALA LUMPUR – Former student activist Adam Adli Abdul Halim first made headlines in 2012 when he was arrested after giving a fiery speech to 500 students outside Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris in Tg Malim.
At the time, he was 22 years old and vocal about his opposition to the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN), calling for its abolition.
Those were the days when getting picked up by police was a “weekly” affair, he said.
Following a long “sabbatical”, Adam Adli returned to the spotlight after announcing his decision to join PKR last month.
He told The Vibes that it took him almost a decade to join a political party as it requires a certain amount of commitment.
“If I was not fully committed, I would not have made this decision (to join PKR), but now, I am more than ready.
“I chose PKR because I was familiar with the party since my student days via programmes it organised.
“Many of our collaborations were with PKR Youth. We organised events, such as forums and youth programmes, and even took to the streets (to demonstrate) together.”
He added that he felt a rapport with PKR as he could relate to its struggles.
On the political landscape today, he said it is a confusing but exciting time.
“Politics now is no longer how it was five or six years ago, or even 10 years ago. It has become unpredictable.”
He refuted claims that he joined the party after being offered to stand in the next general election.
“Many have repeatedly asked me whether I joined PKR because I was given a spot (as a candidate), while some accused me of eyeing a spot. The answer is ‘no’.
“I joined PKR because I feel confident that I am able to contribute to making changes for our country and people.”
On September 16, PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Youth chief Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir welcomed Adam Adli and 19 other activists into the fold at the party’s Petaling Jaya headquarters. – The Vibes, October 8, 2021
