GE13: Four-cornered fight likely in Bukit Gasing

Friday April 12, 2013

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=%2F2013%2F4%2F12%2Fcentral%2F12958128&sec=central&utm_source=TSOL_main&utm_medium=links&utm_campaign=GE13

FORMER journalist Mak Khuin Weng has thrown his hat into the battle for the Bukit Gasing state seat in the 13th general election (GE13) where he will contest as an independent candidate, making it a four-cornered fight for the seat.

Other candidates tipped for the seat are Bukit Gasing Gerakan coordinator Juan Sei Chang, the late DAP strongman P. Patto’s daughter Kasturi Rani Patto, and Simon Lee, the son of the late Edward Lee Poh Lin, who will be standing as an independent.

When asked if he was contesting for Bukit Gasing, Mak said “yes” but declined to elaborate.

He was a journalist with The Star from 1996 to 2007, and this gave him exposure to various community issues in Petaling Jaya. He left the newspaper to go into politics where he became Edward Lee’s assistant and campaign coordinator in the 2008 general election. [Sic: Simon was personal assistant and to his late father the entire tenure as State Assemblyman for Bukit Gasing, while KW Mak was campaign manager to the late Edward Lee in the 2008 12th GE.]

Mak was also a councillor with the Petaling Jaya City Council from 2008 to 2012.

He has been advocating that owners of leasehold properties in Petaling Jaya be given freehold titles and transparency in new and proposed developments. According to residents, Mak might not be much of a threat to Lee, who was born and bred in the neighbourhood. For Juan, the voices on the ground say that he will have to work hard to convince the electorate that he can deliver.

On Kasturi being tipped to be DAP’s candidate, the electorate does not seem to be in support as they say “she is not local”.

It was reported that even DAP’s Petaling Jaya Selatan (PJS) division had spoken against a “parachute candidate” for Bukit Gasing.

PJS DAP liaison committee chairman Tony Cheong was reported to have said the division hoped the party would consider fielding candidates from local branches or even local councillors.

Although no names were mentioned, it is understood that the DAP division was referring to Kasturi.

Kasturi has been in Bukit Gasing for about nine months and is considered green on issues affecting the Bukit Gasing constituents.