Malaysia's youngest member of Parliament Fong Po Kuan will not contest for the coming general election, expected between October and next year-end.

The DAP MP for Batu Gajah made the shocking announcement yesterday during the party's Chinese New Year open house at its headquarters in Petaling Jaya.

Contacted for comment today, Fong said her decision was based o­n "personal reasons" and not related to any internal issue.

She declined to elaborate whether it was due to further studies plan, as some quarters had speculated in the media.

"As I am still holding another four party posts, I will continue to serve the party," she said.

The 30-year-old MP is also the party's assistant publicity chief and the Youth wing committee member. She is also holding two state-level posts, the DAP Perak Wanita chief and Perak branch committee member.

According to party secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock in media reports, Fong conveyed her intention to him two months ago. The party has yet to discuss about it in its central executive committee meeting.

Kerk cannot be reached for comment today. The next central executive committee meeting is expected to be held early March.

Model Malaysian youth

Born in 1973 at Ipoh, Perak, Fong was elected MP in her first contest in the 1999 general election when she was just 26. She defeated the incumbent candidate from the ruling coalition, Yeong Chew Wah, with a majority vote of 2,071. She is not o­nly the youngest MP but also the first opposition female MP in Perak.

Fong, who has a law degree from the International Islamic University, joined DAP in 1997.

Branded a "cili padi" (bird's eye chilli) for her fiery debating skills which found an excellent outlet in parliamentary sessions, Fong was suspended for six months without pay in December 2001 for publicly criticising the Dewan Rakyat speaker for rejecting her urgent motion to debate the Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP) examinations scandal.

Fong and a number of DAP women MPs have also been the butt of sexist statements in Parliament.

Meanwhile, DAP Perak chief Ngeh Koo Ham said the state will "use all means" to persuade Fong to stay and reconsider her decision as she has been an exemplary MP.

"She epitomises the model Malaysian youth (who is) willing to sacrifice and to serve (the people). She is also full of idealism for our beloved nation," he said.

Dedicated and passionate

While DAP Youth national secretary Loke Siew Fook echoed Ngeh's sentiments, he pointed out that Fong's case was o­ne example of a party leader making way for others to contest.

"Many ruling parties' leaders have tried to hang o­n to their posts (over the past months), but Fong has shown that DAP leaders, even incumbent MPs, are willing to give up their seats for others," he told malaysiakini.

Even so, Loke, too, hopes Fong will change her mind.

"If she leaves, the people of Batu Gajah will miss her very much. She has shown dedication and strong passion in her political work.

"She is also o­ne of the most likeable party leaders and has maintained a very good relationship with the party," he added.