At only 37 years of age, Dr Wee Ka Siong is making waves as a MCA politician. He is a vocal backbencher and was recently appointed secretary-general of MCA Youth. He is well known for his social work and frequently helps bright students secure university places.
W
ee first joined MCA in 1992 and was elected member of parliament for Ayer Hitam in 2003. As a student, he was the chairperson of the non-Muslim council in University Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) where he studied civil engineering.
He did his Masters at the Nanyang Technological University, and later completed a doctorate in Traffic Engineering back in UTM while running a consultancy dealing in environmental impact assessments.
Born in Jasin, Melaka, Wee now lives with his wife and two children in Johor Baru.
Person whom you most admire?
Deng Xiao Peng. When I was a young boy, I considered Deng as the greatest leader in the world. He was very smart. A true strategist. There were up and downs in his life, but he never gave up. He paved the way for younger generations when he was at the helm.
Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
The future is unpredictable. In politics, one day is a very long day. It is not whether you want to be in politics or not. If you think you can serve the nation, then you should continue. If you think its high time to make way for someone else, its time to go.
Why do you carry two bulky mobile phones?
Those days I used one number for more than 13 years as a hotline for public complaints. After that, it was quite difficult for complainants to call me as I was always on that phone, so I decided to have two.
What's the best thing about being a politician?
We get a lot of information as MPs. We gain a lot of exposure. We can meet more friends this way.
Have you ever been made to sing at party functions?
Yeah ... in my constituency, it is nearly compulsory for MP's to sing a song. Sometimes I get invitations to sing for charity reasons, so that people will donate. My highest record is RM23,000. ( beams happily ).
Who among MCA leaders are the best karaoke singers?
Probably in those days, Loke Yuen Yeow (former deputy finance minister). Chan Kong Choy and Hon Choon Kim also not bad.
What have been the most complicated requests from your constituents?
Not so much constituents, as I am also a social worker like Micheal Chong, taking in public complaints daily. I was the MCA Johor Baru division secretary since 1993, it was when I started my political career.
There were a few unforgettable cases which I handled. There was a case in 1994 where a Malaysian tour guide was detained in China, because the employer here did not pay their counterpart in China. So I had to go to China to save the girl.
Then there was also cases of individuals impersonating Buddhists monks. These culprits include drug addicts, a BMW vehicle owner and a failed contractor. I exposed them.
How does your family feel about your political involvement?
They are used to it. My wife married me after I was a politician. She accepts it as a 'package deal'... part and parcel.
Where would you take your family out for dinner?
Restaurants and hawker centres around Johor Baru. Sometimes we go out for dim sum as a family. They really enjoy it.
What's the latest gift you gave to your daughter?
The most recent one would be a Barbie notebook. Its like a computer with educational software. Simple one lah ... (cost) a few hundred ringgit.
Good books?
I like to read success stories of politicians and businessmen, one of which is The Man Who Changed China : The Life and Legacy of Jiang Zemin . I also read Lee Kuan Yew's memoirs, and, of course, books on (former prime minister) Dr Mahathir Mohammad.
Hobbies?
When I find time, I play badminton with neighbours or friends. I was a frequent player last time.
Favourite movie?
Cantonese movies mainly. But I also like action films like the 'Police Story' series (starring Jackie Chan) and 'Air Force One' (Harrison Ford). I also liked 'Titanic' (Kate Winslet).
When and where are you most happy?
Whenever I am with the family.
Greatest fear in life?
Loneliness.
Ideal holiday?
With the family of course. I try to take my family for a holiday once a year. We've been to China, Australia, Bangkok and also Phuket.
Fond university days memory?
I underwent an student-exchange programme to study in Tokyo for a month. I applied through the university and was sponsored by the Japanese government.
How many girlfriends did you have at university?
Unfortunately in UTM, it is not easy to get a girlfriend, because in engineering courses, the male-female ratio is 7:1. Unfortunately, that was the case.
Who do you want to see on this column? Do you have a creative question to ask? Should MCA come out with a karaoke VCD? Email: andrew@ malaysiakini. com And oh, by the way, this column will henceforth appear fortnightly.