Door-to-door: Liew (second from left) taking part in a walkabout session with Mohamad Yusri (centre) and MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng (second from right).
TAPAH: Two young women in the quaint constituency of Ayer Kuning are continuing to rewrite the rules of rural leadership in the district.
Liew Soon Yee, 33, and Chong Yen Kay, 36, are “ketua kampung” or village chiefs of their respective communities – posts usually held by men.
Liew leads Kampung Baru Pekan Getah, while Chong helms Kampung Baru Coldstream in Bidor. Both villages are located in Ayer Kuning constituency.
Both are also MCA members, and have been active on the campaign trail supporting Barisan Nasional candidate Dr Mohamad Yusri Bakir in the lead up to polling day this Saturday.
Hand in hand: Chong (right) speaking with Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani alongside MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon (left) on the campaign trail.
Liew, who has a three-year-old son, was born in the village and has helmed the position of village chief for the past two years.
Her father was the village chief for almost two decades.
Born and raised in Kampung Baru Pekan Getah, she now juggles life between Kuala Lumpur, where she helps her husband run a lorry transportation business, and her responsibilities back in the village.
She admitted that she was hesitant to become village leader at first.
“But the local community encouraged me. They believed in me and wanted to see fresh energy leading the village. Their trust convinced me to take on the role,” said Liew, who has been a member of the MCA for 10 years.
Kampung Baru Pekan Getah has around 120 households, mostly elderly residents. Many from the younger generation have moved away in search of better opportunities, either in the cities or abroad.
Liew hopes to spark a revitalisation in her hometown.
Over in Kampung Baru Coldstream, Chong brings the same passion to her leadership. A sales executive by profession, she took up the village chief post a little over two years ago.
“This village is my heart and soul. Every step I take is for the betterment of this place.
“I want to be the voice of the people.”
With approximately 500 homes under her watch, Chong is determined to modernise her village while staying rooted to its warm, tight-knit culture.
She also believes that leadership should not be defined by gender or age – adding that if you are sincere in your goals, nothing should hold you back.
