Siew Ki’s parents now standing by her side
BALAKONG: When Wong Siew Ki showed an interest in politics as a student, her parents were not exactly jumping for joy.
Chin Kooi Seng was even worried for her daughter’s life at one point.
Siew Ki had asked her to buy a ticket to Thailand so that she could meet Pornthip Rojanasunand, the forensic pathologist who was involved in the Teoh Beng Hock case.
“I told her it was so dangerous; what happens if you get into trouble?” Chin, who works as a confinement lady in Singapore, recalled telling Siew Ki.
She said the girl refused to budge, saying: “Everyone hopes their kid grows up and finds a job, buys a house, gets married and have kids. If no one cared about politics, then what happens?”
Chin said that was when she started to “see her point”.
“But I was still afraid and we used to tell her to go out in a group for protection,” said Chin.
All that is now history.
Now, Chin and husband Wong Fook Keong have to keep pace with their daughter’s hectic schedules as the DAP candidate for the Balakong state seat.
Fook Keong said although they were still worried for her safety, things had changed for the better these days.
“I am proud that she can help and serve the community, and help bring changes in the country.
“When we follow her around, I see a lot of people pledging their support,’’ said Fook Keong.
Pakatan Harapan will set up 10 booths around the state constituency to help the people check on their voting status for Saturday’s polls.
Siew Ki, who helped set up one booth at Jalan Damai Perdana, said many people she met during her walkabouts were still unsure of their centres or even if they were Balakong constituents.
“Some have told me they are from Sungai Chua and asked why should they vote as they thought they were in Kajang.”