The lone MCA assemblyman who never stops working

IN the laid-back state of Perlis, very seldom does an assemblyman come across major issues – the tiny state is usually a bedrock of stability. Until the last general election, that is.

First-term MCA assemblyman, Teh Chai Aan, found himself caught in the middle of a crisis during the stalemate between the palace and state Umno leaders in June.

“But I never stopped working during those times as we were elected by the people and serving them is my priority,” says the Titi Tinggi assemblyman.

Teh, 53, speaks fluent Bahasa Malaysia, something which endears him to his constituents, who are mostly Malays.

“I understand the issues faced by them and they regard me as one of them although this is my first term.

“I get along well with everyone including the Opposition members in the state assembly, as Perlis is a small state and we need the cooperation of everyone to realise the development plans for the state,” Teh, who holds the Natural Resources and Environment, Biotechnology and Green Technology and Health portfolio, says.

“I am working on expanding the Natural Resources and Environment sectors to bring in more revenue for the state.

“All the executive councillors have been given a task to see how their portfolios could bring in more revenue and reduce our dependency on funds from the Federal Government.” adds Teh, who hails from Kodiang, Kedah.

“I am learning a lot as an assemblyman and an executive councillor. I am looking at highimpact projects that would benefit the people and bring more income for the state.”

Teh was in the thick of action during the hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) recently where a kindergarden, a pre-school and primary school were told to close to prevent the disease from spreading.

“We worked fast with the Education and Health Departments to contain the disease with programmes to instil cleanliness everywhere, from malls, schools, markets and the public areas,” he shares.

The assemblyman was on the move again on Tuesday when many places in his constituency were hit by flash floods during a downpour on Monday.

“People need to know we care, something Barisan Nasional has been doing for many years, which is why we were returned, although the other states fell to Pakatan Harapan,” he adds.

Teh believes the crisis that shook the state was a thing of the past and all assemblymen are now working together with Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man to develop the state.

He says although MCA has only one Parliament seat and two state seats, the party leadership has given strong support to Perlis MCA.

“Our deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong visited us after the election and urged us to work hard, as well as think and do things differently, to win the hearts and minds of the people,” he says.

Teh, who has been with the party for 25 years and is head of the Padang Besar MCA, won Titi Tinggi with a 142-vote majority, defeating Pakatan’s Teh Seng Chuan of DAP, PAS’ Kamis Yub and Independent candidate Yaacob Man during GE14.