(Please register as member before making any purchase.
Register now)
Upcoming Activities
Popular News
Member Login
|
|
|
It’s work, work, work for new assembly member Jenice |
|
|
|
2008/03/27, Thursday |
|
By Teoh El Sen - NST
 JENICE Lee Ying Ha does only three things when she goes home — sleep, wake up and shower. Forget about watching TV, strolling at the supermarket or doing the things other people do.
Life for Jenice has never been the same since the March 8 general election. Now for the newly elected Teratai assemblyman, life is about solving people’s problems.
With her telephone ringing almost non-stop, the 28-year-old said she has not stopped working since she got elected.
So much so, her coughing and hoarse voice seem to be permanent.
 “To be honest, I’m overloaded with work, “ said Jenice, owner of an advertising firm and the former political secretary to Bukit Bintang MP, Fong Kui Lun.
Jenice said it was impossible for her to take up every single issue, and as a result, she did not help some people whose requests were too minor.
“The problem is that a lot of people here have become too reliant on politicians, “ she said.
“Some problems can be solved with common sense. The correct way should be to call the appropriate authorities first,” she said, adding that that was the way she did it when she was an ordinary citizen.
Jenice said the responsibility of state assemblymen is to look at laws and policies at a macro level and not just to do things to please voters.
“The priority now is to fix the current administration so that it becomes more efficient, accountable and transparent,” she said.
A graduate in economics & government and international relations, Jenice said she would continue to fight for an elected local council and that local councils should make public their accounts.
“It would take some time as right now we’re in a transition period between governments and it would require the cooperation of many.
“There should also be open tender system for projects without any bias on race, religion, or gender.”
She added that a lot of things need to be worked on, such as re-examing assessment rates and better city planning.
Born in an ISA detention camp, Jenice has been a social activist since her school days. She said politics is the best way to bring real change.
“My job is still the same, with more responsibilities and more expectations from people. Just with an added Yang Berhormat title in front of my name,” she said.
The DAP Teratai Community Centre director pointed out that because she has become the people’s representative, it is now easier for her to talk to government officials.
“Previously I was just seen as an ordinary person fighting for the rights of the people,” she said.
“They now pay more attention to me,” said Jenice who added that previously officials would rudely hung up the phone on her.
Jenice recalled the day she joked with a friend, saying: “If we do half of the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council work for you, would you pay us half of your salary?”
While those words were uttered in jest, they may soon became a reality as Jenice may become an Ampang Jaya municipal councillor, and continue doing the work of the previous councillors.
|
|
 |
