Penny has her family at heart

Bonding time: Penny and James during a family barbecue gathering. — Picture courtesy of James Wong

KOTA KINABALU: For many around the world, Kota Kinabalu-born Penny Wong, Australia’s newly minted foreign minister following last weekend’s national election, is a tough-talking, hardball politician.But to her family in Sabah, Penny remains a kind, loving and protective woman – a far cry from her public persona.

For her younger brother James, Penny is no tough cookie but one who speaks up for the voiceless and defenceless.