Fwd: Bukit Gasing likely to see four-corner fight in general election
Eddie Wen
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Begin forwarded message:
From: Simon Lee <simonlee...@gmail.com>
Date: December 21, 2012 11:24:54 PM GMT+08:00
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Subject: Bukit Gasing likely to see four-corner fight in general election
Please help share / forward.Three's company for DAP
Bukit Gasing likely to see four-corner fight in general electionTUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012 - 15:53Location:PETALING JAYA
THE DAP could be handing the Bukit Gasing state seat over to Gerakan in the next general election if it does not consolidate the three DAP-linked candidates vying for this constituency.Kasthuri: Her main concern is reaching out to needy groups
While Kasthuri Patto may be DAP's anointed candidate to defend the seat that the party won in 2008, two other DAP-linked candidates are also throwing their hats into the ring.
Although Kashturi comes with political firepower — she is after all the daughter of late DAP stalwart P. Patto and is Lim Kit Siang's political secretary — the other two could also be sentimental choices for the electorate.
Simon Lee, is the son of the late Edward Lee Poh Lin who won the seat for DAP in 2008. Ex-journalist and Petaling Jaya councillor K.W. Mak, meanwhile was Edward's assistant. Simon and Mak said they will be contesting as independents to offer the electorate a wider choice.
However, if voters get confused, there is a possibility that Gerakan's Datuk Dr Lim Thuan Seng, who held the seat for two terms — may be able to return due to split votes.
"We are not looking to get involved in partisan politics, but rather focused on the community movement," Simon said, adding this is the reason why he wants to contest as an "independent" under Pakatan Rakyat (PR).Mak : People should not blindly elect a leader
"I saw my how my father was unable to perform his duties to the best of his abilities as he was tied down to party policy and had to toe lines.
"Which is why I want to offer the DAP a chance to have a truly people's representative," said Simon.
Among his concerns for the area are the conversion of privately-owned residential leasehold titles to freehold titles and issues surrounding the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ). Mak, meanwhile, said people should not blindly elect a leader.
"The people must question their leaders and ask what they are actually going to do for them instead of just making promises," he said.SIMON: Not looking to get involved in partisan politics
Mak, 36, said housing and development are major issues not affecting Bukit Gasing area alone, but the whole of Petaling Jaya.
"Extra development at existing townships has resulted higher traffic flow which leads to congestion. The water supply pressure in these areas has dropped due to more usage. This has an affect on the existing sewerage system as excess use will eventually will lead to overflowing to the drains and later rivers. The effects will be even worse in the near future based on present development," he said.
Kasthuri, a 32-year-old former microbiologist of Universiti Malaya, said her main concerns are reaching out to the needy groups and helping them to find a source of income.
She said besides the land titles and over-development issues, the community also want to see a better future for their children.
Other mainstream issues she will be focusing on include better legal protection for women and enforcement of existing laws.
"We must highlight the importance of gender sensitivity when handling cases of violation against women. System or procedures should slash red tape bureaucracy which only make the victim suffer more," she said.
Party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng meanwhile was unperturbed, saying the people will vote for DAP as it has been tried and tested, and an independent candidate would need a support system to fulfill election promises.
Gerakan's Lim, meanwhile has yet to be guaranteed of a chance to reclaim his seat.
"I was there before for two terms and am waiting for the go ahead sign from party leaders. Of course I have the experience and everything I do, I will do it with sincerity," he said.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Email correspondence with Malay Mail:
Hi Andrew,Greetings and thank you for your email. I am well and hope you are also.There are two main issues that are of particular concern to me and the people of Bukit Gasing:1. Conversion of privately owned residential leasehold titles to freehold titles:Certain sections of Bukit Gasing are under freehold titles while others are under lease hold titles. This anomaly must be addressed and corrected through the conversion of leasehold to freehold titles.2. Issues surrounding the local council / MBPJ (administration and functions):Key issues are:i. Poor services and the lack of a maintenance culture- There is much to be improved on regarding the delivery system of services rendered by the council be it from grass cutting and proper clearing of cut grass to trimming of trees under the care of the council, rubbish collection, drainage maintenance and upgrading, road resurfacing, proper maintenance and upgrading of public playgrounds, parks, amenities and infrastructure, so on and so forth.ii. Parking and traffic woes as well as infrastructural inadequacies and strain due to unsustainable, high density development- The Petaling Jaya local plan 1 (RTPJ 1) which includes Bukit Gasing has already been fully implemented. However, plans for redevelopment (urban renewal) of areas under the RTPJ 1 have been announced and the people of Bukit Gasing are concerned over the details of the redevelopment plan. As it is, traffic on major roads in Bukit Gasing is continually increasing to the point of causing intolerable congestion. Parking spaces in commercial areas are insufficient with regular incidences of indiscriminate double parking. Any further development would only worsen and put further strain on the already heavily utilized roads, parking areas, public amenities and infrastructure. The strain on public utilities such as electricity, water and sewerage and whether there is enough capacity to handle the load of further development is another major concern. Irrigation and drainage ways would also be affected. The current capacity of monsoon drains are not able to handle the volume of storm water and thus causing frequent flash floods. Concrete surfaces do not allow water to be absorbed into the ground and is another contributing factor to higher rainwater runoff, causing drains to overflow. Further development would create more covering of surfaces, leading to even more flash flood occurrences.We want Bukit Gasing to remain livable.iii. Security- Although security does not come under the direct purview of the State / local government, improved city planning that include security features will contribute in making Bukit Gasing and PJ a safer place.iii. Overall competency, accountability and transparency issues- As rate payers, we would like to know in detail how our money is spent and whether efficient and quality services are being provided. Much is to be improved on in this area of CAT and the relationship between the rate payers and the council.iv. The reintroduction of local council elections (to advocate for)- Representation of the people in the council must be by the people and therefore, local councilors must be elected.v. Continued preservation and conservation of the environment and Bukit Gasing hill green lung reserve- We would like to preserve Bukit Gasing as it is for the current generation and future generations.The support from the people of Bukit Gasing and community leaders has been positive and encouraging on the whole. However, there were a few concerns regarding my candidacy as a community candidate. These concerns were ranging from the fear of vote splitting to accountability since I will not be running under a political party. My response to these concerns follows:1. To avoid vote splitting, the people of Bukit Gasing must exercise educated and wise voting in order to vote for the right person to represent them. Vote the right candidate.2. My accountability will be directly to the people of Bukit Gasing. Running as a community candidate will allow me to fully represent the interests of the people without having to deal with and be tied down by the attachments that comes along with being in a political party(statement of commitment - http://www.n34bukitgasing.com/p/community-candidate_17.html).I hope I have been able to provide you with sufficient information for your article. It would be much appreciated if you could let me have a look at the draft article before finalising it for print. Do not hesitate to email me should you have further questions or clarifications.On Wed, Nov 28, 2012 at 2:19 PM, andrew sagayam <andy...@gmail.com> wrote:
HI, good day to you Simon, hope everything is well with you.
I am Andrew Sagayam from The Malay Mail, next month we are launching
our 1miilion copies of the newspaper in our efforts to reach out to
wider audience and one of the topics that would be highlighted will be
on the Bukit Gasing area.
As you are running for the seat, I would like to know what is the
issues close to you for the area and how is the support for you has
been.
Hopin very much that you reply me as soon as possible. Thanks chief.
Andrew Sagayam
Senior Writer
The Malay Mail---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In dad’s footsteps, Simon treads
Aneesa Alphonsus| April 21, 2012The late Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee's son, Simon, has decided to pick up from where his father left off.
FEATURE
The tributes to the late Edward Lee, Bukit Gasing state assemblyman found at http://rememberingedwardlee.blogspot.com/are pages and pages long. Some say thank you in a sentence, others in lengthy paragraphs that afford a keen insight into the man, his legacy and the indelible mark he has left on the lives of a grateful community.
To read these tributes is overwhelming as it is, but to see his legacy carried on by his three sons and to listen to what they have to say about honouring his memory is in a word, touching.
Earlier this week, Simon who served as Edward’s political aide for the past four years announced his intention to stand for election in the Bukit Gasing state constituency as an independent candidate aligned with Pakatan Rakyat with the support of brothers Gerald and James. Their father, who died of cancer last December, won the seat for DAP in the last election.
So why Pakatan and not DAP seems be the question of the moment.
“When we discussed the possibility to carry on my father’s legacy, we came about with the concept of a community candidate. We were not looking to get involved in partisan politics although we do realise that certainly there will be people who will have questions like ‘if you don’t any affiliations, or belong to an organisation then where does your loyalty lie?’ and even ‘where are you getting your backing from?’
“What we have here is a very new idea which is to get people from within the community to endorse the candidate. A local person will be very familiar with the issue and we are advocating for greater participation from the community when it comes to policy making. All this while, endorsements have been done by the various political parties. The philosophy behind this is a very centrist approach rather than your typical left and right wing. Essentially, this is not another party or an organisation, but more of a movement, a community movement,” he explained.
Before one is tempted to dismiss Simon as a young candidate with romantic notions of a better tomorrow, let it be said that he is fully aware that there are people who are of the opinion that the idea of a community candidate is an idealistic one.
He knows with quiet yet lucid comprehension that there are others who think that this might not work. But the sentiment on the ground, said Simon, is that many also want Barisan National out and as a community candidate, he added, that the goal is to do this long term because it is much bigger than just the 13th general election.
The term “bigger than” is something that the brothers use often when referring to their late father and the way he always put the people first before himself.
‘My father was a reluctant hero’
Gerald shared that this is the way his father lived – with a genuine concern for the people labelling this cause something bigger than he was.
“That’s not something you can fake or put up a front just for popularity. My father was a reluctant hero. He was never one to take the limelight. There are many Malaysians know the issues at hand, but we complain and no one wants to step up. My father knew the issues and he did what needed to be done with little thought for himself,” he recollected.
Charlotte, Simon’s wife offered that in this way, both men – father and son are alike.
“I’ve seen them over the past eight years and the similarities are striking. My late father-in-law wasn’t a very good orator and Simon isn’t the type of person who takes easily to public speaking.
“Then there is the matter of dressing, just like Edward, Simon often dresses down and sometimes as he makes his way out, I would ask him, ‘Is that what you’re wearing?’ That aside, like father like son, both are men of few words but they do what needs to be done,” she said.
While it is undoubtedly noble to carry on such a legacy, one also wonders if the reluctant hero comparison can be shared in that was this something Simon wanted or felt compelled to undertake as a primary figure with his brothers as supporting figures.
Whatever the reason, the task is daunting to say the least and yet almost encouraging to a degree.
‘It was a natural choice’
Youngest brother James offered an insight to this when he said, “It was a natural choice considering that Simon spent a lot of time with my father. I would say that it was a straightforward choice since Simon was the most experienced in these matters. The fact that his is a familiar face cemented the choice. Simon was fortunate to have worked with him and had the most exposure.”
For Simon, the defining moment when the resolution was made to be candidate is an emotion he describes as an exhilarating rush. Although, he was candid in admitting that if his father had asked him if he were ready to take over, the answer right of the bat would have been a resounding “No.”
“I’ll be honest and say that I have inadequacies that make me the least likely candidate. Like Charlotte mentioned, I’m not outspoken to take public position. I think what was more important then and now is the work itself and we’ve learnt to develop a passion for it. I have seen a lot of things most people have never seen, such as the workings of the government right down to the grassroots and these are invaluable lessons.
“It was actually at the point of my father’s passing when we made the decision to run for elections. It really struck home. We were at a loss as to why such a good man had to go so soon and we felt that it was a life cut short. It was symbolic in that he passed on that torch to the next generation,” Simon divulged.
Gerald added his opinion to this. “Daunting or encouraging, that’s for God to answer. Whether it’s opportune or to our liking is not the issue. I think it would be a great travesty not to continue what my father started. The impact he has created has proven that a common person can do this. We are doing this not because we want to be in a position of power. My father never ever had it in mind to make it as a politician. During his funeral, I said, by and large as a politician as you and I understand it, he probably wouldn’t be a good example. But as a leader with a genuine concern, he was a great example and that’s what’s left at our feet.”
Read in between the lines, and one might notice a silent compliment paid to Simon. When this is mentioned, the 33-year-old community candidate admitted that like his brothers and late father, felicitations isn’t something that he does well with.
“I strongly feel that the encouragement we receive from the public is the best kind of compliment – that they believe in us and this confidence helps us carry on,” said Simon, with James adding, “If pushed for an answer, I would say that a great compliment would be to tell us that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” he said with poignancy.
Fortunately, the transition from political aide to forerunner has been reassuringly smooth, but not without apprehensions and questions.
After a thoughtful pause, Simon added that there initially was some amount of dependency due to the massive amount of experience had by his father. He expressed that with over 20 years of social work experience coupled with a strong reputation as an environmental activist, there was always the question of being capable enough.
However, Simon and his brothers chose to look at it as a positive challenge and to not have to live in the shadow of their father but to be their own person hence the idea of the community candidate.
“My father was all for involving the community, to unite the people for a common cause. If we can unite ourselves to improve the lives of everyone is something we wanted to carry on to completion,” he said.
As to what he would like to address with some urgency, Simon named local council issues as a primary concern. “We need to move forward and it’s time to end the mud-slinging, finger-pointing blame game. We’ve come to a full circle now in the history of our country and I would personally like to see politics in Malaysia mature.”
The inevitable, and yet unfairly pressured question of how long is he looking at to establish himself, Simon graciously offered, “We’re looking at one term to establish ourselves and communicate this to the community at large to get them to participate with us. Maybe in the second term we’ll take it out of Bukit Gasing. We have to make sure it works here first – to ensure that it is sustainable before taking it elsewhere. We do not want to over promise and under deliver so taking things one step at a time is how we’re going about it. We’re not here to outdo anyone or to prove anything, but to achieve something.”
‘He is watching with a smile’
As for the upcoming general election, Simon’s focus is to, as he puts it, “just get cracking” citing that all they want at the moment is to use the energy they have and create a network within the community, forming a think tank consultative body to deal with issues.
He added that while is an overwhelming crusade, the reason behind the cause – the people – is what drives him and his brothers.
Earlier in the interview, Simon was asked if he was expected to take over from his father eventually.
Edward had once asked Simon and Charlotte, “If I were to run, would you run alongside with me?” This was in regard to the 2008 elections.
“I know that he’s watching,” Simon offered, “And I can almost see the big smile – from ear to ear that he most probably had when my brothers and I decided to take up from where he left off. I know that he’ll be with us every step of the way.”
Now it seems, as Simon’s day of reckoning approaches, the favour, if one could call it that is being returned. The community candidate is truly his father’s son.
To know more about the initiatives or to get involved, visit www.n34bukitgasing.com or n34bukitgasing on Facebook which will be up and running by this weekend.
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http://www.mmail.com.my/story/continuing-their-father%E2%80%99s-legacy
Continuing their father’s legacy
Three sons of the late Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee decide to follow his footstepsTUESDAY, MAY 08, 2012 - 10:48PETALING JAYA: To ensure their late father's principles and legacy live on, three brothers — Gerald, 34, Simon, 32, and James, 29 — have decided one of them should follow his footsteps.ALL IN THE FAMILY: (From left) Simon, Gerald and James — Pic: ASHRAF SHAMSUL AZLAN
The three sons of Bukit Gasing state assemblyman Edward Lee Poh Lin, 64, who died of cancer-related complications on Dec 20, last year, are determined to emulate and carry on the work laid out by their father.
Lee was the founding member of the All Petaling Jaya Residents' Association Coalition, a dedicated assemblyman and a member of the Selangor government's Special Select Committee on Competency, Accountability and Transparency.
Not only was he an outspoken champion of issues related to residents of Bukit Gasing area, Lee was also well-known for starting the campaign to save Bukit Gasing in the late 90s.
Hot from his announcement on Apr 15 of his intention to stand for election in the Bukit Gasing state constituency as an independent candidate aligned with Pakatan Rakyat, Simon admitted filling his father's shoes would not be an easy task.
Met by The Malay Mail recently, Simon, who had worked as a political aide for his father in the past four years, said it was not his intention to take over his father's position.
"He did ask me on many occassions whether I was interested to take over his position in the future and serve the people of Bukit Gasing.
"I was reluctant then because it was a huge responsibility. I thought I was not suitable for it and certainly not a prominent figure as he.
"After he left us, the family decided one of us should stand as a community candidate because we feel strongly about all the work he had done. We just want to carry on with it," he said.
"We (the family) want this to be non-partisan politics. The idea is to get the people from within the community to endorse the candidate. We grew up in Bukit Gasing and as local boys, we know the issues people here are facing.”
At the same time, both Gerald and James, would play the supporting role in this endeavor.
Gerald said: "We chose Simon to contest because he has a more hands-on experience and was the closest to our father.
"People nowadays view the candidate's credibility more than the political party he or she represents.
"We want to build on that and the foundation our father had created," Gerald said.
Edward's youngest son, James said his father had always involved the trio in community work and instilled good values in them.
"He had always been a strong advocate of volunteerism and we intend to follow the good example that he had set." he said.--
Simon C H Lee
www.n34bukit gasing.com
