Is Dian Lee another poor, little rich girl?

 

The revolving door between government and the private sector may benefit many cronies and almost invariably cause problems for their offspring.

This is why the pressure on Dian Lee, the central executive committee member of Muda, who joined the party on Dec 23, 2021, will intensify. Her actions will be heavily studied, and her words carefully weighed.

It would not have mattered one bit if Dian had been the daughter of Mr KY Lee, your neighbour who owns a small grocery store, whose wife is a part-time receptionist, and whose children are scattered throughout the world, because of the reality of being denied many opportunities in Malaysia.

The apparent vitriol towards Muda's Dian is only because she is the daughter of the property magnate, Lee Kim Yew. Malaysians know her father as the founder of Country Heights Holdings Berhad, who is a close associate of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, or as one socio-political observer bluntly said, "Siapa lagi? Mahathir's crony-lah".

Together with Mahathir's granddaughter, the filmmaker Ineza Roussille, the Dian-Ineza duo filmed the documentary, ‘M for Malaysia’, which was reportedly chosen to represent Malaysia at the 92nd Academy Awards for the best international feature film category.

Some have asked, "M for Malaysia, or M for Mahathir?" Others wondered about the film's selection process and said, "Chosen by whom?"

People are rightfully hesitant

It's all very well pleading with others to give Dian a chance, and they are right to say that there is no law stopping rich people from entering politics. However, don't forget that many of Dian's detractors grew up experiencing the rise of nepotism, cronyism, and extremism.

One elderly teacher said, "How will Dian improve my life? Does she know what people like us go through?

"She returned from overseas and entered business. I told my children to remain in Singapore because Malaysia will treat them as second-class citizens."

Someone who wanted to give Dian a chance said, "Let her prove herself. Being a rich man's daughter should not be a barrier to helping the nation. People like her have enough money of their own and would not  be open to corruption."

However, this person's colleague said, "That's rubbish! Being rich did not stop Najib with his immaculate political pedigree from acquiring more wealth illegally. Nor did it stop any of Taib Mahmud's children. They all had an insatiable appetite for wealth, despite already being rich."

We should not blame Malaysians for failing to warm easily to Dian's membership in Muda.

For over five decades, Malaysians slowly lost faith in their leaders, who failed to take care of the rakyat's interests because they were busy promoting their crony friends.

Dian, Muda must declare their stance on issues

On Feb 10, Dian told reporters at a food court in Larkin that she joined Muda to serve the people and to help develop the party. She claimed that she was not aware if she would be fielded by the party's leadership to stand as a candidate in her hometown of Batu Pahat.

Muda's co-founder, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has said many things we would all like to hear, but that is not good enough. With the country being crippled by Perikatan Nasional, many Malaysians may be so desperate that they would willingly lend their support to the latest political party on the block. However, many Malaysians will also take a more measured approach to things.

So, would Dian care to explain her views on the following issues, so we know her position and stand?

1. What does Muda stand for?

2. Will Syed Saddiq be able to change the political culture to restore trust in Malaysians? His actions are also scrutinised because of his earlier transgressions as a former minister.

3. The country's woes are well documented. The established political parties have their youth wings, which are acutely aware of the problems Malaysians face.

It is difficult for the youth to rise up the ranks and make their presence felt because the older politicians stand in their way. In that respect, Muda has greater appeal not just for the younger generation, but also for older Malaysians.

Can Muda make a difference and accomplish what the youth wing of the established parties have failed to do?

4. Will Dian renew calls to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Icerd)? We need a firm stand on this.

5. How will she propose that all discrimination be abolished?

6. Will she urge Muda to initiate Zakir Naik's deportation?

7. How will she propose MUDA resolves the sensitive issue of religion, such as banning polygamy and child marriages? The claim that Muslim issues only affect Muslims is wrong. Look how Indira Gandhi suffered.

8. Did Dian agree with Amanah and DAP's decision to hand over many seats to Muda in Johor? If so, why did she agree to this?

9. How can the cycle of political cronyism be stopped?

10. Malaysians hate their lives being micro-managed by the Malaysia Islamic Development Department (Jakim). Will she also agree to ban Jakim?

Dian has proven herself in business and in activism work. She said that she wanted to be judged on her own merits and not be linked to her father. As a member of Muda's central committee, she presumably has Syed Saddiq's ear.

As a high-profile member of Muda, her stance on these issues may guarantee our support. - Mkini

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MARIAM MOKHTAR is a defender of the truth, the admiral-general of the Green Bean Army, and president of the Perak Liberation Organisation (PLO). Blog, Twitter.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.