Fighting Kok claws on (NST)

by Naveen Mathew Menon, New Straits Times, 02 September 2008
Teresa Kok never runs away from a fight in the political arena and her indomitable spirit has won the hearts of many.

Indeed, with a 36,492-vote win over her opponent, Kok garnered the largest majority in the general election in March to capture the Seputeh parliamentary seat for the third time.

That feat speaks volumes of Kok who is also the Kinrara state assemblyman.
From the infamous 2006 nude squat issue to helping squatters, the tough-talking 44-year-old is one of the leading voices in DAP.
Kok is a former political secretary to Lim Kit Siang (1990-1995) and is presently DAP Wanita national secretary.
A graduate of Universiti Sains Malaysia with a degree in mass communication, she also has a degree in political science from Universiti Malaya.

Q&A WITH TERESA KOK

Q: What made you enter politics?
A: I never intended to become a politician. I took Mass Communications because I wanted to be a journalist. But then I realised that a journalist sees a lot of things, but cannot do much about them. I found there was a need for people who could strive to bring about changes.
In 1990, after graduation, I had the opportunity to get in touch with Dr Kua Kia Soong, the former MP for PJ. I assisted him in his campaign in the 1990 general election. After the election, Teng Chang Khim (now speaker of the Selangor state assembly) and I were recruited to replace Kit Siang’s political secretaries.

Q: With so many posts, how do you manage to serve effectively?
A: I plan and act according to priorities. This is the first time that DAP is part of the government, so it’s natural for me to spend more time to help run the government. It’s not that difficult to manage two constituencies because Kinrara and Seputeh are next to each other. What I’ve done is to strengthen the secretariat in both constituencies. I have to spend more money and I’ve hired more staff so that I can handle people’s complaints easily. My assistants keep in touch with me every day and consult me on important issues. I also try to speak up and play my role as a parliamentarian.

Q: Given the political situation today, is it difficult to attract trade and investment to Selangor?
A: It’s not difficult, because Selangor is the heart of Malaysia. It’s the most advanced state, with lots of resources, good infrastructure such as highways, ports, the best airports and more.
The most important thing is to address the issues and complaints that scare away investors. These include improving transparency, enhancing the delivery system, wiping out corruption and being responsive to their complaints.
In terms of strategies, I aim to develop Selangor as a “halal” hub, build up the solar industry and focus on renewable energy, get funds from overseas, be they from the Middle Eastern countries or East Asia, and encourage reinvestment by foreign and local investors. In the past, many liked to invest in Vietnam, China, and other countries. The Chinese government is now encouraging their people to expand their businesses and invest abroad, so, how do we attract their capital to Malaysia? It’s a great challenge.

Q: What are the principles you value?
A: We in the federal opposition emphasise on transparency, accountability, democracy and dialogue. On Aug 11, for example, we had a budget dialogue with NGOs, state assemblymen and others. Through dialogues we are able to build bridges with different groups and people. I do the same in my constituency.

Q: Tell us about your most memorable experience?
A: I think it is now. The next few years will be the most memorable that I would have. Being part of the state government, with the chance to influence or effect policy changes and to help more people.
And the nude squat issue. The girls involved came to me for help and after that, the government formed the Royal Commission to investigate the matter. I am glad this issue was widely publicised and forced changes in regulations and procedures in police lock-ups. I was a member of the Parliamentary Select Committee that reviewed the Penal Code and Criminal Prcedure Code. Some amendments were made.
For example, in the past, when police caught you, your family might be in the dark about your whereabouts. Now, the police must allow you to make one call to inform your family where you are. Before the police carry out interrogations, you are also entitled to ask your lawyer to come and be present while your statement is being taken.

Q: As an MP and state assemblyman, what are the complaints you usually get?
A: I find that there are a lot of issues people can resolve on their own. Some of the constituents are too dependent on the wakil rakyat and approach them with petty problems, such as which university their child should attend, or asking for help in settling summonses by municipal councils. There were even requests to settle quarrels between neighbours. Such things take too much of our time. People must join associations and learn to fight for their rights.

Q: Have you been frustrated by problems that you tried to solve?
A: Recently, I was upset by something that happened in my Seputeh constituency. I don’t encourage people to break the law, especially in the issue of squatters’ eviction. If a landlord wants his land back, squatters have to move, but normally I would ask the landlord to give them compensation.
In Old Klang Road, when a landlord wanted to take back his land, and the squatters failed in their court case, the landlord offered RM6,000 per household. An MCA representative asked them not to accept it and said they ought to fight for RM20,000 per household instead.
But the landlord got a court order to demolish all the squatter houses and half the squatters did not get a single sen. In the end, the people suffered. People who are ignorant of the law can easily be swayed by rumours or instigators.

Q: You were a columnist with Sin Chew Jit Poh. Do you still write?
A: I had to stop just before the general election this year. I just don’t have the time anymore. I published two books in 2004 and 2008 which are compilations of my articles.

Q: Who do you look up to?
A: Lim Kit Siang. He’s an intellectual, a thinker, a good politician. He puts the nation’s interests before his own. People like Aung San Suu Kyi and other human rights fighters who sacrifice their lives and freedom for the greater good of others also inspire me and are my mentors. I admire Suu Kyi’s stand and principles.

Q: You used to swim and watch movies to relax. Do you still have time for either?
A: I don’t have time to swim as I’m always busy. I always get home around midnight. I try to walk or jog at the Bukit Jalil Park once or twice a week.

Q: Are you a romantic at heart and have you watched the Titanic?
A: Out of curiosity, I watched The Titanic once. The movie’s love story is very unpractical. I don’t really fancy love story movies.