COMMENT | These words echoed in my mind as I left Mecca for Medina, reflecting on the struggles and realities of politics. A journey that once began with hope has now led me to confront harsh truths.

I entered politics with a sense of hope that things could be different. That was back in 2016 when then-deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin was sacked for speaking out against 1MDB.

At the time, Malaysia was drowning in corruption scandals and it felt like something had to change.

Muhyiddin and Dr Mahathir Mohamad later formed Bersatu. PKR and DAP - who once saw Mahathir as...