Late Bukit Gasing rep's son offers to take over seat

Simon Lee says he wants to stand as a pro-Pakatan independent

by Aneesa Alphonsus
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/04/16/late-bukit-gasing-rep%E2%80%99s-son-offers-to-take-over-seat/?fb_comment_id=fbc_10151530990760602_32308795_10151540854060602#f41aa4043620b2

KUALA LUMPUR: Simon Lee, a son of the late Edward Lee Poh Lin (photo), has announced his intention to stand for election in the Bukit Gasing state constituency as an independent candidate aligned with Pakatan Rakyat.

Edward, who died of cancer last November, won the seat for DAP in the last election.

In a media statement released today, Simon said he would be a “community candidate” in honour of the Bukit Gasing community, to whom he said his father dedicated his life.

Simon is one of three sons of the late Lee. He has the support of the other two, Gerald and James.

“What made us decide to do this was my father’s death itself,” the statement said.

“Even at the end-stages of his illness, we still saw his fervour and determination to carry on doing the work. He was still working on his laptop while he was in hospital and to see him so dedicated really rubbed off on my brothers and I.

“His selflessness was something that struck home.”

“The challenge here is that we are trying something new. Some people might find this idealistic and it might not even be taken very well in the beginning.

“But we will keep at it and be tenacious just like our father was. We’ll not stop getting out the message of change.”