Devoted service will pave the way to victory for Choong
TAPAH: Few candidates dare to declare they will win, no matter how high their chances are.
But MCA’S Choong Shin Heng is bold enough to make this statement without the slightest hesitation.
“I am very confident I will win the Chenderiang state seat because the people here can see with their own eyes who has been consistently working very hard here,” he said.
The MCA Tapah Youth chief who is special assistant to the Perak mentri besar was sharing his views with The Star, before joining Barisan Nasional comrade and MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan who is incumbent MP for Tapah on his campaign tour.
The energetic 41-year-old, contesting for the second time in Chenderiang, failed to win the seat in the last general election in 2018.
Choong lost by a mere 39 votes to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia candidate Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu (then under the Pakatan Harapan banner) who went on to become Perak mentri besar until 2020.
The itsy-bitsy win, coupled with the victor being catapulted to the MB’S office, made Chenderiang an irresistible magnet – drawing six other hopefuls and making it the highest contested state seat in GE15.
“None of them are locals ... they are just trying their luck,” grinned Choong.
The confidence he exudes is not arrogance. It stems from the devoted service he has rendered to the people in the past 14 years, and the relationships he has built with the townsfolk.
He was an aide to then Chenderiang assemblyman Datuk Dr Mah Han Soon from 2008 to 2018, before he himself contested the seat in GE14.
Choong has been with the MCA for over 20 years, beginning with youth activities under MCA’S Langkawi project during his university days in the north.
He believes that political stability promoted by MCA and Barisan can lead to higher economic growth, so that people can have a comfortable life and a better standard of living.
“Even though I lost the last round, I never gave up. I continued to serve the community here. Everybody here calls me Ah Choong, and the Orang Asli call me Pah Choong (Mr Choong).”
Indeed, on a walkabout at the only supermarket in town, smiley shoppers were seen fist-bumping Ah Choong and chatting with him.
He has paid special attention to the plight of the Orang Asli, frequently bringing food and medicine to the remote 55 villages in the depths of Perak’s secondary forests.
Often, his social media shows him mingling with the different communities, having a meal or dialogue with them or playing games.
Seeing that people needed help during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, Choong sprang into action with his team of young supporters.
“We helped to distribute some 60,000 food baskets from MIC to the people, including Pakatan supporters, when most people didn’t dare to even venture out of their home.
“Looking at how bad the situation was, we mobilised other rounds of aid, funded by MCA and my own backers,” he said.
The Ipoh-born Choong radiates quiet self-confidence, and is gentlemanly to the core.
He sidestepped opportunities to run down the opposition, opting instead to focus on his efforts.
“People will know me as a responsible, realistic, and reliable politician.
“Also, I always maintain my humility, for I am a servant of the people.
“I am sincere to serve the interests of my constituents, to provide stability and to care for their wellbeing,” he vowed.
Choong, who is pursuing a doctorate at Universiti Utara Malaysia, believes he can win support from the 29,827 voters in this constituency – comprising 34.5% Malays, 26.8% Chinese, 13.4% Indians and 25% Orang Asli and others.
“I have done countless rounds of house-to-house visits. For us, in a semi-rural community, a personal touch is much more effective than shouting at ceramahs,” he said.
Given the mandate, Choong will look into the brain drain problem, traffic jam during peak hours, flooding after rain and infrastructure development in Orang Asli villages.
“My election promises have stated clearly how I envision improving the lives of the constituents. We will focus on modernisation, economy, transportation, education, tourism, and healthcare.”