Twitter star Stevie Chan to contest as independent

KUALA LUMPUR: Twitter personality Stevie Chan Keng Leong, 51, intends to stand as an independent candidate in Port Dickson to check political arrogance, which he claimed triggered the by-election.

He said he decided to throw his hat into the ring to stop the country from sliding back towards a regime of entitled politicians.

“Thanks to one man’s arrogance, we have a by-election in Port Dickson. On May 9, we fought and won a glimmer of hope for democracy.

“But after four months, it is being mocked and trampled on by the power hungry.

“Political arrogance, if left unchecked, will lead us back to our corrupt ways. It will be BN (Barisan Nasional) 2.0,” he said.

Chan was believed to have been referring to PKR president-elect Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who made clear his intent to contest the by-election. The move was made possible after incumbent Datuk Danyal Balagopal Abdullah vacated the seat.

Chan dismissed accusations by certain quarters that he was an agent of any political party and was anti-Islam.

“I can assure you that I have never been in the pockets of big businesses, interest groups or political parties.

“The very characteristic that I have been criticised for — vocal, blunt and loose cannon — is precisely why I cannot be depended on by these groups and why I shall be a true independent candidate,” he said.

Chan urged the people to look at the bigger problem of the “PD Move” — that it was driven by political arrogance, elitism and entrenched political machinery — and reject “old politics”.

“Let us all take a step towards dismantling the political elite and their arrogant ways. In the next few days, I will be sharing with you why we should reject the PD Move, my views on certain key issues, and my manifesto for the people of Port Dickson.”