KUALA LUMPUR: Some might say he was unwittingly thrust into politics by circumstances, but Chua Tee Yong, son of MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek, would tell you that it was a road he chose himself -- even as a young boy of 12.
The newly appointed 33-year-old Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister told FMT that though he contested and won as an MP in the March 2008 general election, he was already involved in politics at a much younger age. You could say that it all started with his father.
"When I was in Standard Six, I was already following my father to dinners, dialogues and walkabouts in Batu Pahat. My interest in politics probably began here," said Chua, a former chief financial officer in a government-linked company.
The first-term Labis MP, who drew a lot of flak from many critics within and outside the party for his "quick rise", said he has been visiting the Labis constituency even before he became an MP there.
Chua added that his elder brother, Tee Joo, 35, was the one who was influenced by his father's previous profession as a doctor. Tee Joo is now a doctor.
"So if others are saying, I was 'not given a choice' in becoming a politician, it is not true," said Chua.
He said he is grateful that the then MCA president Ong Ka Ting had picked him to stand as the candidate in the 2008 general election.
"Ong decided to field me as a new blood in MCA. From there things took off... "
Constantly on the move
Chua contested in his father’s Labis parliamentary seat following the latter's resignation in the wake of the DVD sex scandal. He won with a 4,094-vote majority over DAP’s Teo Eng Ching.
Chua was appointed deputy minister on June 1, sparking allegations that it was his father who helped him secure the post. But Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak had backed the appointment, saying that Chua was chosen based on merit and competence.
In a recent interview with FMT, Chua talked about his early days as a politician, his vision for the agriculture ministry and his future plans in MCA.
From the interview, Chua seemed comfortable making the transition from the private sector to government service. He said an accountant does not necessarily need to be in the Finance Ministry.
"In the private sector, you know who your target customers are and can easily deliver what they need. But in government service, you have to address a vast range of issues of different groups. I need to consider all these factors,” said the boyish-looking Chua.
Now that he is in politics full time and holding a government post, he is constantly on the move and learning the ropes.
"My father's way of doing things influenced me quite a bit. Like him, I move around quite a lot -- holding dialogues and doing walkabouts. I try to emulate Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak by going to the ground often," said Chua.
Hectic life
Chua divides his time equally in his Labis constituency among the Chinese who comprise 51%, Malays (30%), Indians (18%), and Orang Asli (0.9%).
Chua said people should not have the perception that he would only look at Chinese issues.
“I will not only look after the welfare of the Chinese but the others as well. There is also a significant number of Chinese farmers and fishermen in my constituency. So I have an edge here since I am also able to converse with them in Mandarin.”
Nowadays, Chua leads a hectic life – he not only have to study and tackle various issues that crop up in the ministry but also engage in dialogue sessions with farmers' associations and industry leaders.
Chua also thinks that MCA should shed its old mentality in this evolving political landscape.
"There are no safe seats anymore,” said this eager beaver, who represents a new crop of young MCA professionals.
While he is quite modest about his political future in MCA, he nevertheless has made heads turn in his rapid climb to political prominence.
He was recently appointed to monitor MCA’s formidable party assets valued at about RM2 billion. He was also appointed to the party’s presidential council in April and to the central committee in November last year during the tail end of the party’s power struggle.
"It has not been easy, especially since I now have less time for my family. But I want to thank my wife who has been supportive all the way," said Chua, a father of three children, aged between one and five.
Chua entered politics with a relatively clean record, but given the turbulent nature of MCA politics, it remains to be seen how far he can go.
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