PD POLLS | Lau Seck Yan is battling several giants in the Port Dickson by-election, with no less than PKR president-elect Anwar Ibrahim and former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Mohd Isa Abdul Samad in the fray.
Although the odds are stacked heavily against her, the independent candidate remains unfazed.
"It so happens I have to face big names, very influential people. But to me, nobody is greater than the other. We are all the same, actually.
"I never have any fear, because you see, I am a Buddhist. As the Buddha said, have no fear in whatever you do, as long as your heart is pure and you cultivate the right path," Lau told Malaysiakini in an interview at the Port Dickson Waterfront.
Lau also believes that it would be very short-sighted to get too distressed about losing her RM15,000 deposit in this by-election – which will occur if she obtains less than one-eighth of the votes cast.
"To me, is that money mine? I am a Buddhist, nothing is mine. If I were to lose that, I am just giving it to the government.
"Our government needs the money. It is just another donation," said the candidate, who is running under the logo of a rabbit for the by-election.
As Lau pointed out, she has reaped other benefits just by throwing her name in the hate for this by-election.
Support that made her life more meaningful
Since her nomination, the 51-year-old educationist has received messages of support from old friends and students, which she said has made her life that much more meaningful.
Even her octogenarian father made the trip from Seremban to Port Dickson to rally behind his daughter.
"It is so touching. This old man, he came all the way to give me his support, so why must I worry about the deposit if it is going to be gone?” she asked, while holding back tears.
"And then when I meet the people, I can hear their grouses, I can connect with them. As an MP, I can do better."
According to Lau, one major issue that she intends to address if she pulls off a major upset and gets elected is the untapped potential of tourism in Port Dickson.
The government, she said, has not developed the industry efficiently, as it does not have an "integrated plan."
"My God, we have such beautiful resources, but we are not using them to the fullest.
"We can actually become like Hat Yai in Thailand; but look at us, at night there is nothing here," she said.
Aims to offer the people what they really want
Unlike her six challengers, Lau does not have an election manifesto. What she has instead is an empty form for the voters to list down the issues they want addressed.
This way, she said, she can offer the people what they genuinely want – instead of being like political parties that promise the world in their manifestos, only to find excuses not to deliver.
"Why should we continue to deceive the people? I do not know how to deceive the people.
"I am here sincerely to help you, that is why I came up with a form, for you to tell me what you want.
"Then from here, I will come up with my manifesto. Without that (form), it is not something I give you, it is something I want you to take," she stressed.
The Port Dickson by-election was triggered when incumbent MP Danyal Balagopal Abdullah vacated his seat to facilitate Anwar’s return to Parliament, which would enable Anwar to eventually succeed Dr Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister.
In addition to Anwar and Isa, the seven-cornered fight on Oct 13 will also see Lau go up against PAS candidate Mohd Nazri Mokhtar, Anwar's former personal aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, Stevie Chan and Kan Chee Yuen - Mkini
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