Sivarasa Rasiah: A politician who’s always on the go

Candidate: On the campaign trail in 2004, meeting people at a pasar malam in Petaling Jaya.

WITH having to travel to far-flung villages in Malaysia – often over rough terrain – the work of the Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister can be physically taxing.

This is especially true for Sivarasa Rasiah, who – in his own words – “is operating on half an adrenal gland, only one of two vocal chords and no thyroid at all” after a bout with cancer in early 2000.