DATIN Dian Lee’s recent high-profile addition to the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) has sent political pundits and netizens alike into a tizzy in the recent days.
After all, it’s not every day that one would see the involvement of a member of a well-connected tycoon family in Malaysian politics.
Lee, for the uninitiated, is the daughter of property tycoon Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew and currently serves as deputy chairperson of Country Heights Holdings Bhd.
But beyond this, it is important to note that she is also a successful entrepreneur and activist in her own right – in addition to being one of the youngest property developers in the country, Lee is also the co-founder of the Clearwater Group, an award-winning boutique property development company as well as the owner of a slew of trendy restaurants.
And most recently, she has joined MUDA as the party’s central executive committee member.
Speaking exclusively to FocusM, the 38-year-old Royal Melbourne Institute of Technologies (RMIT) graduate noted that MUDA’s inclusivity, progressive policies and politics with integrity have resonated well with her own beliefs.
“Malaysia deserves more politicians and leaders who uphold these values and can lead by example, and I hope to make a difference through example and good old-fashioned hard work,” she remarked.
Guided by very clear values
While her father has been friends with former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad since she was a child, Lee was quick to point out that her political views are her own and that her views on politics and policies are guided by “very clear values”.
“For example, those values include that every child has a right to a high-quality education, that the government must provide a strong social safety net for vulnerable and marginalised groups in society, or that we must raise minimum wages so that workers are paid a dignified living wage.
“These are amongst the values I hold that help shape my view on Malaysian politics. It was also fortunate for me, just like the many others thinking of joining Malaysian politics, that strong role models exist in abundance,” she said, citing Nurul Izzah Anwar, Yeo Bee Yin and Hannah Yeoh as among those that she had long admired for the ways they each serve their communities.
Commenting on her contribution to MUDA and its growth, Lee said, “What I can offer at this moment is my sincerity and passion to be a useful contributor to the immense work that many are already doing to solve the problems that Malaysians are dealing with.”
As a mother of three, Lee is particularly passionate about issues relating to children such as education, childcare, child nutrition, children’s mental health, stateless children and domestic abuse.
“I believe that the deprivation that so many children in Malaysia face is unacceptable, and can only be addressed through strong government intervention,” she commented, adding that it is truly heartbreaking that there is a rise in extreme nutrition poverty among children from B40 families throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
“These families have worked themselves to the bone to make ends meet during this pandemic, so it is only right that we as a society fight for a strong social safety net to make sure these families do not fall between the cracks.”
“Malaysian have been hurt too many times to count”
While lauded for joining politics especially during a time when the Malaysian political landscape is marred with much turbulence, there is bound to be plenty of scepticism and criticism given Lee’s familial ties and Country Heights pedigree.
In addressing the negative perceptions of her joining MUDA, Lee said that she takes the criticism levelled against her in stride and seriously because she understood where those who are sceptical of her involvement in politics are coming from.
“Malaysian have been hurt too many times to count. They are frustrated and so it is understandable why there is suspicion,” she pointed out.
“I think this scrutiny is healthy and necessary for accountability. It will take time to convince my fellow Malaysians that I am worth their trust. For now, I will continue to listen and learn.” – Feb 11, 2022
