Familiar faces: Chia (right) and H’ng sharing a light moment with residents and shoppers during their walkabout at Rifle Range food court.
GEORGE TOWN: They used to follow the seasoned politicians around. Now, these former bosses and mentors are keeping up with their proteges, who are standing as fresh faces in this general election.
Barisan’s Bayan Baru candidate Saw Yee Fung is getting help and advice in managing her publicity materials from former deputy women, family and community development minister Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun.
Saw, 33, was Chew’s private secretary during her tenure as MCA secretary-general.
“She (Chew) has plenty of experience with her political background, and she is helping me a little in every aspect.
“She is my adviser and will check, fine-tune, and review my social media content,” said Saw, adding that Chew is also handling the media.
Saw said she has a strong rapport with Chew as they have worked together for the past eight years.
“I worked in her office when she (Chew) was contesting the Raub parliamentary constituency in Pahang in 2018.
She stated, “The roles have now been reversed.”
For Perikatan Nasional’s candidate H’ng Chee Wey in Bukit Bendera, having his mentor – former Gerakan secretary-general Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye – by his side to guide him has been a big boost to his campaign.
Chia, a three-term Bukit Bendera MP from 1995 to 2008, knows the ins and outs of the constituency.
The 45-year-old H’ng was Chia’s special assistant from 1999 to 2008.
“When the locals here see him, they know straight away we are from Gerakan. I don’t even have to introduce myself.
“He also gave me pointers on ways to cope and campaign effectively during this crucial period,” he said.
Chia is best known for gunning down DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang by a mere 104 votes when the former opposition leader tried to capture Bukit Bendera in 1999.
Like Chia, Kit Siang has also taken on a mentor’s role for the Tanjong parliamentary seat this GE15.
Sitting out the general election for the first time since 1969, the veteran is supporting his daughter Hui Ying, 59, in her electoral debut.
They were seen at the nomination centre last Saturday before Kit Siang – a three-term Tanjong MP from 1986 to 1999 – spoke at a Pakatan Harapan ceramah at Penang Chinese Town Hall here later that day.
Familiar faces: Chia (right) and H’ng sharing a light moment with residents and shoppers during their walkabout at Rifle Range food court.
Fresh face, veteran adviser: Saw (right) together with Chew while campaigning in Bayan Baru.— Photo courtesy of Saw Yee Fung’s social media
(Right) Kit Siang is helping Hui Ying in her electoral debut.
