Elizabeth Wong for Bukit Lanjan
Speaking Truth To Power
Categories
Archives
Blogroll
Recent Posts
- Complaints Centre
- Thank You, Bukit Lanjan
- The Davids who beat Goliath: Elizabeth Wong
- Incommunicado
- (GE12) THANK YOU!!!!!!!
From My Blog
- Petra free! 3.30 pm at Shah Alam High Court
- Zunar on Obama … and PKNS
- Obama is PRESIDENT ~ woo-hoo!
- Tourism Minister misled Parliament
- Zaid Ibrahim resigns
The Davids who beat Goliath: Elizabeth Wong
Published by Bob K | Filed under In The Press
The Star, 16 March 2008
They were unknowns one day and the next, they were elected representatives. Some were raised in political families, others developed their political convictions at university while one was literally thrust into the elections at the eleventh hour. They will go down in history as the young and inexperienced ones who won against the odds and, in some cases, beat long-established incumbents. One thing these MPs and assemblymen have in common – they are all inspired and raring to change the political culture. Sunday Star speaks to some of these political novices who can’t wait to etch their mark on the local political scene.
It seemed like just yesterday when a friend quipped during a concert that she would not be able to enjoy them any more if she was elected to Parliament.
“I will have to think about it (going to concerts). But if either Muse or Depeche Mode come, I will have to make exceptions,” says Elizabeth Wong.
“I have always wanted to join a rock band but it looks like I have to KIV that for now,” adds Elizabeth, who plays the piano, violin and the guitar.
She contested under PKR and defeated one-term assemblyman Datin Paduka Yong Dai Ying for the Bukit Lanjan, Selangor, seat with a 5,155 majority in the recent elections.
“I didn’t expect to win by such a huge majority. I have been waiting for this for a long time. But it is one thing to have good proposals and another to make it work,” says the 38-year-old from Ipoh, Perak.
The eldest of three siblings also says that she will have to start wearing more sneakers from now, as she will have to walk around her constituency.
“I like heels, they make me look taller. But I guess I will have to run around a lot more from now,” says Elizabeth who studied fine arts.
She has also been told that dressing up is a must now with suits being on the agenda although she is still unsure about it.
“They might be just exaggerating but I will have to find out.”
A social activist who was also a parliament aide for Permatang Pauh MP Dr Wan Azizah, Elizabeth is planning on being a fulltime Adun (state assemblyman).
“I just want to do my work. I have a simple and private life and I would like to keep it that way. I shop at Carrefour and compare the prices of stuff. I am also affected by high prices, just like everyone else,” says Elizabeth, who enjoys photography in danger spots such as South Thailand, Acheh and Mindanao.
She also mows her own lawn, reads, does gardening and plays with her kitten Hong Mao (Red Cat).
“I hope I can continue doing all these things which keep me sane,” she says.
Having lived and having been involved in social activism in Australia and United Kingdom, she has met a lot of their MPs.
“They are very regular people. They take the bus or train to work and don’t live in fancy houses. I would like to model myself after that,” she says.
March 20th, 2008 at 11:24 am
““I will have to think about it (going to concerts). But if either Muse or Depeche Mode come, I will have to make exceptions,” says Elizabeth Wong.”
What about the greatest band on the planet, Panda Head Curry? ?
We also accept gomen people in our audience.
March 20th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Dear YB Elizabeth,
Congratulation on your victory! It was very pleasing to see so many opposition canditates getting elected to the state and parliment!
I hope you could help us revive our housing project which is abandoned at the moment.
I believe you have been to the location of our project which is at the back of the 10 Boulevard (being constructed).
We have seen the land office, the former MP/Adun with regards to our matter but there was no help from them. We have also briefed the former Exco Datuk Mohktar Dahlan and submitted a letter of appeal (by hand).
There are certain things that I am unable to mention here but I’ll be glad to meet you one day over this matter.
I sincerely hope you can help us.
March 25th, 2008 at 2:25 am
Dear Ms Elizabeth Wong.
Congratulations! It’s been great to know that Bukit Lanjan has a new ADUN. We are residents of Pelangi Utama Blk ABC and we are pretty much worry about the safety here. We actually brought out this issue to the past ADUN but she was no help and she left the matter back to the residents. We were not actually asking for her to “protect” us but to at least lead and advise us on how to solve the safety issue and situation here. It was sad , she told us that police couldn’t help us since it is an apartment problems. But…it was not true as I have called up embassies to check and they gave us a good advise. To accomplish results better, I hope YB can help us to look for a much more proper channels or solutions. Couldn’t write too much here but I’ll be very glad to see you in person to explain the situation and/or offer my help in any way I can possibly do.
Thank you and have a good day.
April 9th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Hi Elizabeth
It was a big time inspiration for me to know you are elected to be Selangor Exco Member and MP representing PKR for Bukit Landan. I feel so proud that you came from Ipoh too.
I have not be working in Malaysia for 20 over years since I migrated to Melbourne. I thought the Opposition is just mildly effected all these years. In fact I have given up hope 20 years ago when I took my two sons aged 4 and 6 for better educational opportunities in Australia. I myself failed my Malay paper in Uni Malaya and couldn’t get a teaching diploma and teaching career. It was not fair.
I am writing to let you know I am asking my daughter Michelle Cheng who is doing her 1st year Arts degree in Melbourne Uni. She wants to do human rights law, democracy, politics, English, etc and I told her to read up your blogs to be influenced by you as a role model.
Hope to see you doing the big job for Malaysians for a better and more equitable future.
Cheng Sun Choi.