Aneesa Alphonsus | April 21, 2012
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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