KUALA LUMPUR : Datuk Lee Hwa Beng’s story is an inspiring one, especially for those who believe there are not enough opportunities to be successful in life.
Born in Kampung Tehel, Bemban, Malacca, Lee did not allow factors such as poverty deter him, overcoming the odds to earn professional accounting qualifications and setting up his own accounting firm.
With a longtime family involvement with the MCA, Lee rose to high office.
Lee has been a member of MCA Central Committee, vice-chairman of the MCA Selangor state liaison committee, and chairman of the MCA international Affairs Bureau.
He was elected assemblyman for Subang Jaya for three terms and was known as a hard-working wakil rakyat. But in March, he contested the Kelana Jaya parliamentary seat only to be swept aside by the opposition tide.
On Sunday, after five terms as Kelana Jaya MCA divisional chairman, he was defeated by six votes by his divisional Wanita chief.
Q&A Datuk Lee Hwa Beng
Q: What was life like when you were young?
A: I came from a humble background. My father was a rubber tapper. When I was in Form 3, I had to cycle 26km every day to and from school since I couldn’t afford the 40 sen bus fare. A friend’s mother took pity on me and gave me accommodation later on. When I was studying at Technical Institute in Kuala Lumpur in 1970-1971, I had free accommodation, but no money to go home to Malacca at weekends. The bus fare was RM2.70. So I used to hitch-hike to Malacca and back. It was always a struggle to pay my fees.
Q: Any interesting tales about your childhood?
A: In those days, my only entertainment up to Form 3 was to see a Tamil show once a month in the estate, sitting in the open air. It was free and we had to bring our own chairs. If the rain came, the show would be cancelled and we had to wait for another month to see the next movie. Till I turned 15, my favourite actors were MGR. Sivaji and MN Nambiar. There was no TV at home. In fact, there was only one TV in the whole kampung and we had to pay 10 sen to see a TV show.
Q: What made you go into politics?
A: Basically, to help the community. I felt there was a need to safeguard the rights of the Chinese and ensure there was fair implementation of policies. My father was one of the founder members of the MCA and also the MCA branch chairman of my kampung.
Q: What made you set up the Lee Hwa Beng loan fund at Tunku Abdul Rahman (TAR) college?
A: From personal experience, I know that education is important. Education is the best and perhaps only way out of the vicious cycle of poverty. I had to stop my studies at Singapore University as I didn’t get a scholarship or loan, and continued at TAR college. This experience is really etched into my mind. I made a pledge that the moment I could afford it. I would help those struggling to get an education. The fund helps 10 to 15 students a year with a loan of RM2, 500 each.
Q: Your thoughts on the current political situation in the country?
A: It is an opportunity for everyone from the man in the street onwards to make Malaysia a better place.
Malaysians have voted for a two-party system which will provide the necessary check and balance. It has taken a long time for us to achieve this level of political maturity.
The trouble is, many leaders on both sides have not accepted this. The people and the country should come first: so, there should be more cooperation between the federal government and the state governments even in states controlled by the opposition. Projects have to go on so that the people do not suffer. Otherwise, it might be impossible for BN to win back those states.
Racial polarisation is also coming back at a very fast pace. After the elections, many felt that when the Malays voted for DAP and non-Malays voted for PAS, there would be no more racial polarisation.
Q: As chairman for Port Klang Authority, What are your plans?
A: We must get past the RM4.6 billion scandal at the Port Klang free trade zone. Less than 10 per cent of the 400ha free trade zone area is occupied and I have to try and fill it up and put it to good use. I spend a lot of time on marketing it.
Q: Your future plans?
A: I would like to be involved in MCA to help select proper leaders. I would like to ensure that these leaders can revive MCA.
Q: What direction should the MCA take to regain support and remain relevant?
A: More than half the top leadership in MCA, including the president and deputy president, are not standing. It’s a good time to elect the right leaders who can rebuild the party and restore its former glory.
We need leaders who can voice out strongly for the party and community. We have to elect a leader who is outspoken and capable of leading MCA and ensuring that the community’s needs are taken care of.
The main reason we fared badly in the last election was that we were seen as not being able to speak up to Umno.
To correct this perception, we must be seen to be a party on our own, just as Umno is independent of other BN component parties. We must be seen as not being intimidated by any other group or party outside MCA.
Q: You seen unfazed by views contrary to your own and even allow detractors to post vitriolic comments on your website.
A: I am a strong supporter of free speech. A free press is a must for democracy to exist. I cannot do much about freedom of the press but I can at least make my website free and allow people to express their views. Only thing is, they should not be anonymous and must identify themselves. Such freedom should not be misused.
As a Christian, I fear God and I have nothing to hide. So, I’m not afraid of what people say.
I also had a big hand in making the S.J. Echo (a community newspaper in Subang Jaya) what it is today.
Q: What do you do during your free time?
A: I managed to get back my life after the general election. My favourite pastime is travelling, golf and swimming. I’ve been to many places in Malaysia with my family. My wife and I went to Peru recently, visiting Machu Picchu and seeing the huge Nazca lines etched into the earth’s surface. Next on my list is Gunung Tahan, Mulu caves, Antarctica, Greenland, Mongolia and Finland.
In 14 years as a wakil rakyat, I managed to visit my aged parents in Malacca only one to three times a year. In the past few months, I have gone back six times.
Q: What achievements as an assemblyman are you most happy and proud of?
A: Providing proper accommodation for squatters in Subang Jaya. There were about 2,000 squatters mainly Indian and they are now all live in low-cost houses. Subang Jaya residents became more vocal and involved in community activities; I organised a lot of dialogues, sports-based activities, etc. I started the Subang Jaya 10km run, and football, basketball, futsal and ice hockey leagues.
As president of the Malaysian Ice-Hockey Federation, I am happy about their performance. Two years ago, for the first time, Malaysia sent a team to the Asean Winter Games. Earlier this year, we managed a second placing in an Asian level ice hockey tournament in Hong Kong.
Q: Tell us about your family. How did you meet your wife ?
A: I have three daughters. I met my wife Lee Soo Soo while we were both studying in TAR College. She gave up her job as a remisier this year so that we could travel and spend more time together.
Q: Do you still operate your service centre and do people come for help?
A: Yes, I maintain a service centre at 17-21, Jln USJ 1/6A, Subang Jaya; we open every Tuesday from 8.30pm to 10.30pm. But fewer people come to see me now since the state government and local authorities are controlled by the opposition.
· This interview was conducted before the party election on Sunday.
God be with you YBbhg Dato Lee Hwa Beng.