Continuing their father’s legacy

Three sons of the late Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee decide to follow his footsteps

WEDNESDAY, MAY 02, 2012 - 12:28
by T.K. Letchumy Tamboo
http://www.mmail.com.my/story/continuing-their-father%E2%80%99s-legacy

ALL IN THE FAMILY: (From left) Simon, Gerald and [James]
Pic: ASHRAF SHAMSUL AZLAN

PETALING 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.

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.