Underdog Gan banks on outspoken image

PETALING JAYA: Despite widespread speculation that the urban Chinese voters are strongly with the DAP, Kluang MCA division chief Gan Ping Sieu is unperturbed over the challenges posed by DAP's Wong Shu Qi in the coming polls.
Gan, who also faces Muhd Hasbullah Md Najib from PAS, is born and bred in Kluang and is not a parachute candidate.
The UK-trained lawyer also has a long tradition of community service in the constituency, while one of his uncles was also a Kluang MP. Many of his relatives are still serving with local village committees and as local councillors.
In fact, Gan's late father who was very popular in Kluang and used to run a grocery store there, was a pioneer MCA member and a respected figure among the local Chinese community.
Gan's political awareness was stirred when he attended several rallies while studying in London and upon his return to Malaysia, he went on to study Syariah Law at Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA).
He also set up his legal firm in Kluang before branching out to Kuala Lumpur and Johor Baru.
As for his political career, he won the Mengkibol state seat in 2004, but lost in the 2008 general election. In 2010, he went on to become a vice-president in the MCA and was also appointed as the Youth and Sports Deputy Minister.
According to MCA members, Gan is an outspoken leader and not one who is afraid to go against party lines.
"For example, despite being a deputy minister, he spoke out against Article 114A of the Evidence Act. Earlier, he was also outspoken against the University and University Colleges Act," said a senior party member.
Gan was also among those who spoke up against censorship of the Economist magazine where his defiance earned him criticism from within the establishment.
After 2013, he took up an active role in Centre For A Better Tomorrow (Cenbet), an advocacy group for moderation and good governance.
There, he continued speaking up on issues affecting Malaysians, including those which went against the ruling government's line.
"Gan is considered as a breath of fresh air among the old and tired faces in MCA. He is dedicated and believes strongly in a better Malaysia for Malaysians," added the senior MCA leader.