INTERVIEW | Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung has just completed his first year in the Dewan Rakyat and has had to settle in quickly to adapt to his demanding role.
In an interview with Malaysiakini, he highlighted that Petaling Jaya, which is one of the largest constituencies in the country, has its own set of variables.
“There are some long-standing demands of the local people. For example, there were many objections to the PJD link which has now been cancelled.
“Overdevelopment is an issue in PJ. The area was one of the earliest and largest sub-urban territories to develop, meaning it was haphazard at the time.
“Nowadays, our challenge is to make sure it is more livable, accessible, and less car-oriented,” he said.
Lee said the key is sustainable development. Speaking from his service centre in PJ Old Town, he said the neighbourhood which sprung up in the 1960s could do with better interconnection, amenities for the aged, bike lanes, and public parks.
He also noted that many of his voters are active retirees with lots of ideas as to what can be improved.
“They want to be engaged. They have the experience and now they have time, but they want to be heard.
“Fortunately, one of the things I enjoy most is talking to people. I have met many very colourful people. Some who grew up here, many are back from overseas to retire.
“I want to do my part in solving their local issues, and luckily my constituents are knowledgeable. They know which jobs belong to councillors, and the state assemblypersons, and the MPs,” said Lee.
Countering urban poverty
Despite Lee winning his inaugural parliamentary contest with a sizeable majority of 50,575 votes, Pakatan Harapan did not make a clean sweep of the three state assembly seats that fall within his territory.
His party colleague from PKR, Mohammad Fahmi Ngah, won the Seri Setia seat and DAP’s Rajiv Rishyakaran defended Bukit Gasing but Bersatu’s Afif Bahardin won a close fight to take Taman Medan.
“Another thing that people may not realise is that PJ has a high urban poverty rate.
“Sometimes, there is the perception that it is a wholly affluent area but I have many constituents, particularly in Taman Medan and Lembah Subang, who are living in cramped conditions in low-cost flats.
“The urban poor are facing a lot of problems, such as malnutrition. The challenge is how can we better feed children, especially from the B40 group. We must ensure they stay in school to get an education to prepare them for the future.
“Also, how can we provide more jobs with a liveable wage to counter the rising cost of living?” Lee said to Malaysiakini.
Incidentally, in September he suggested in Parliament that Kuala Lumpur be returned to Selangor to create a “mega metropolis”.
“This would ease development and allow for better planning,” he said while debating the 12th Malaysia Plan mid-term review.
Not a new face
Lee, 42, might seem like he enjoyed a meteoric rise from out of nowhere to claim a coveted seat in Petaling Jaya, but he is no parachute candidate.
The native of Kuantan, Pahang, moved to the Klang Valley after completing his studies and was active in Petaling Jaya PKR as far back as 2008.
“I moved here and was involved in PJ PKR before the party asked me to go back to my kampung. So I contested in Semambu in 2013 and relocated there.
“I sold my house and moved back with my wife and now after two terms there, I am moving back again to PJ, with three children now!
“My family has had to sacrifice because of my choice and I am very grateful to them. I am lucky as my wife is also an activist,” he said.
Lee has been involved over the years in the Stop Lynas movement and was also charged under the Peaceful Assembly Act for taking part in the #KitaLawan protests of 2015.
One of those he was charged alongside, was his predecessor as Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah.
“After a year, I must say I still thank Maria who helped with the transition here,” he said.
He acknowledged that Malaysia needs a new generation of leaders with so many figures having dominated the political landscape for many decades like ex-premiers Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Muhyiddin Yassin, and Najib Abdul Razak, as well as Lim Kit Siang, Abdul Hadi Awang, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, and even current prime minister Anwar Ibrahim.
“Our struggle of 25 years fighting for reform also showed that politicians need to be tested… like a car!
“Some are tested in my party, some others in Harapan. Within PKR you have Rafizi Ramli, Nurul Izzah, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, and hopefully more from a new generation like Adam Adli.
“Similarly you do have emerging leaders from DAP, and elsewhere, even Khairy Jamaluddin, even though he has been around for a long time and his career has never been built on a reform platform, but there definitely will be more political talent to develop soon,” said Lee.
Life outside of work
He said while his job keeps him very busy, he tries to maintain a life outside of work, playing badminton and futsal when he can.
“I learnt to make sports a habit. I have lost friends along the way, and it must be a habit to keep fit.
“I also love to play bass guitar, although nothing very complex. My taste is generally pop music.
“I also read a lot. There is Michael Sandel, the philosopher. I am just reading his book. I like Japanese author Haruki Murakami.
“I also read Chinese books as I am Chinese-educated. And I read science as well. Another one is Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow, a book by Yuval Noah Harari,” he said. - Mkini
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