Going from good books to text books

I need to become an expert in order to help the country, says DAP rep

GEORGE TOWN: Pulau Tikus assemblyman Yap Soo Huey (pic), who was once out of favour with the state leadership but had found herself in the good books of the Chief Minister recently, has decided not to contest in the general election.

Instead, she will be furthering her studies in urban and transport planning.

The 36-year-old DAP representative said she had informed the party leadership of her decision last year, but would help out during the polls.

“They hoped that I would stay on, but I explained that I felt it would be beneficial for us to develop our expertise in urban planning and transport planning.

“Classes will only start in August, so I will only be leaving then,” she said yesterday.

Yap said she had applied to eight universities for her master’s degree. “I was accepted by six.”

She said she had been offered scholarships by four of the universities.

“I have narrowed it down to two, the Georgia Institute of Technology and Cornell University, both of which are in the United States.

“They both have their strengths,” she added.

Yap also announced her decision on her Facebook page yesterday.

“Even though I will not be able to represent Pulau Tikus for the next term, my reason for going away is also for the betterment of Penang and Malaysia.

“Some people have asked me why I have decided to take leave from Malaysia for a few years to further my studies.

“The reason is because I strongly feel that I need to become an expert in city planning and transport planning in order to help Malaysia become better,” she wrote.

Yap, who was Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s science, technology and innovation officer, contested for the first time in 2013.