It takes a little getting used to ... when you try to place petite and sweet-looking Hannah Yeoh as the elected state assemblywoman for Subang Jaya.

Articulate and urbane, Hannah admits being politically inactive before. Many were sceptical when she decided to stand for the Subang Jaya state seat under the DAP ticket in the 12th General Election.

hannah yeoh interview 110608 03 “People had been saying, ‘I don’t think you can win because Subang Jaya is a BN stronghold’ but they told me they would give me a try,” she recalled her difficult times as an opposition candidate.

Despite the difficulties and initial skepticism about her, Hannah defied many by winning the seat by 13,851 votes over her MCA opponent Ong Chong Swen. For a first time candidate to win with such a huge margin in a BN stronghold is quite an achievement.

Newly-wed Hannah said she ran for office because she felt she represented the ‘fresh and young minded’ and typified young working adults in Malaysia.

“(However) I had to register as a voter first,” admitting sheepishly that she only registered last year.

The law graduate from the University of Tasmania further explained that her old schoolmate, Edward Ling was the one to convince her to make the political plunge.

“He was always thinking of ways to change the government as a young person,” Hannah said of Edward who acts as her political secretary now. .

As the eldest from four siblings, Hannah was involved in event management before this.

Her political inspiration is her party colleague and parliamentarian for Petaling Jaya Utara, Tony Pua.

“If he could give up his career (as CEO of Cyber Village Sdn Bhd) to serve the people, I can do that too,” she said with a smile.

Yang Bersih

As a firm believer in fighting against corruption, Hannah said she is all-out to change the mindset of people.

hannah yeoh interview 110608 both She has even been labeled ‘stingy’ by residents when she questions them whenever they ask for donations or allocations.

“I would ask what the money is for and how it would benefit the people,” she said.

She explained that this might offend some people, but she is no fan of lax spending and wants to change the general perception.

“They have voted for change but their mindset has not changed,” she pointed out.

Asked whether she would like to be addressed as YB, Hannah replied that she does not mind people calling her YB but she prefers the YB that stands for Yang Bersih (the clean one).

Watch out for the full interview with Hannah Yeoh on Mkini.tv’s ‘Uncensored with Francis Paul Siah’ tomorrow.