Johorean Yeo tears up as she confirms moving south for GE14

Damansara Utama state assemblyperson Yeo Bee Yin may hail from Segamat, but the first-term DAP assemblyperson could not help but choke back tears as she announced her decision to contest in Johor.

"I would like to announce to the residents of Damansara Utama, my voters, that I've decided to accept the party's suggestion to move out from the constituency and move out to Johor to contest there," she told some 1,000 people present at her book launch "Reimagining Malaysia" tonight.

She said that Petaling Jaya Utara lawmaker Tony Pua had told her to say her goodbyes in person.

"I said I want to (do it via) video because I know I can't hold back my tears.

"Seeing your familiar faces when I go to residents' programmes… Five years ago I saw a politician and voter relationship, but now I no longer see you as voters, but as friends that I cherish so much," she added to applause from those present.

Yeo said it was not an easy decision to make, noting that she had even prepared a script as she was worried about getting too emotional.

But it did not come to pass, as she was seen asking for a tissue, joking that she would not look good in pictures due to her tears.

While admitting that she wanted to stay in Klang Valley, Yeo said she understood how Johor will be a key battleground for the opposition in the 14th general election.

"When I was making a decision, I was checking the last chapter of my book. Reading my own story on why I decided to get into politics, I realised it was never about comfort, but a conviction in me that I want to do the best of my ability to make a difference in this country.

"I want to be able to say ‘yes’ to things that will change not only our lives, but those of future generations.

“I believe that can only be done by moving out of my comfort zone to Johor, and with that, to be able to make Malaysia a better place.”

Speaking to reporters later, Yeo said she could not confirm whether she will be fielded in a state of parliamentary seat, stating that it has not been decided.

"The party will decide for me," she added. 

When asked whether it was the parliamentary seat of Bakri, Yeo said she was not in the know.

Responding to speculation that Yeo would contest there, Bakri incumbent Er Teck Hwa told Malaysiakini that he would obey DAP instructions to move to any seat, including a state seat.

Asked about the possibility of being dropped entirely, however, the two-term lawmaker refused to comment.

New blood

Meanwhile, Pua, who was present at tonight's book launch, stressed the importance of bringing in "new blood" to the party. 

"There will be a fair number of new faces. The exact number hasn't been decided, purely because we don't know how many seats are available.

"Some will be created because of vacancies, such as Teluk Datuk (after the explusion of Loh Chee Heng), and some because they (representatives) move to other states and seats."

Renewal in the party, he said, will get young people to "move up."

"I hope to retire soon, too, at some point," he added.

In her speech, Yeo explained that she was inspired by fellow DAP state assemblyperson and Selangor speaker Hannah Yeoh to write her book.

"This book is about policies, Malaysian stories and dreams for Malaysia."

Although assuming office in 2013, Yeo admitted becoming somewhat disenchanted with politics during the Selangor menteri besar crisis a year later.

"It opened my eyes as a young lawmaker and politician, to think how one person you thought was good could change in such a short time.

"It made me disappointed in politicians, because I thought they are good people. 

She, however, did not want to reveal who this person was, or whether she was referring to former Selangor menteri besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

“I don’t think we should go personal on this occasion,” she told reporters.

Yeo also said she was also disheartened seeing no changes after the Bersih rallies, the Sarawak state election and the Sungai Besar by-election, despite the various scandals plaguing the country.

"After the by-election, I got so disappointed. I said nothing was going to change, even if we were under the sun, got no sleep, there was no hope for the country.

"Then I was reminded of my childhood. When I had dreams, (how) I pursued those dreams, although there were challenges."

Reimagining the country

The trained chemical engineer found that the answer to her problems was to "reimagine."

"Imagine Malaysia above and beyond the current limitations. That's why I started to write the book in 2016.

"Page by page and I stopped writing. But then I was reminded again, as a representative, I have limited time, so perhaps if I were to write my dreams in this book, someone somewhere will be able to pick up the ideas I have and put them into action."

Ultimately, she noted, the 227-page book is really just a reference for young lawmakers.

"I want young people to know that politics is not dirty; it's about ideas and pursuing those ideas."

Other DAP lawmakers present were Lim Kit Siang, Steven Sim, Ong Kian Ming, Liew Chin Tong, who were joined by PKR's Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh. -Mkini