This is the first of a three-part series with Sarawak PKR chairperson and Julau MP, Larry Sng Wei Shien.
KOTA KINABALU – Larry Sng Wei Shien was studying at the London School of Economics (LSE) when he was first called upon to contest in the Sarawak state elections in 2001.
“I did not expect to venture into politics at such a young age, although I've been groomed to be one, by my father. He’d make passing remarks that I'll be a politician when I grow up,” he told The Vibes in an interview
“I had the impression that I would join politics when I'm 40 or 50, so to be given an opportunity at 21 came as a bit of a shock.
“After giving it some thought, I said ‘If it’s not me, then it would be someone else’.”
He contested and won the Pelagus state seat in 2001, in place of his father Datuk Sng Chee Hua who was the then incumbent.
Sng became the youngest state legislator in 2001 when he joined the now-defunct Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS).
In 2004, he was appointed as an assistant minister in the Chief Minister’s Office, to Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud after successfully defending the Pelagus seat in his second term.
He contested for the Julau parliamentary constituency as an Independent during the 14 General Elections (GE14), defeating the incumbent Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum from Barisan Nasional (BN).
He later joined PKR and became its Sarawak chief following the defection of Baru Bian to Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) in March 2020.
Overcoming early jitters
Walking through his journey in politics for close to 20 years now, Larry said contesting in a rural constituency like Pelagus, was akin to throwing a person into a deep end of the sea to see whether they sink or float.
“For me, my biggest concern was whether I was prepared to serve for five years if I won. Secondly, I needed to know if I was really committed to the job. I did not know the local language, I did not know the people, and I did not know the culture. It was a huge challenge.
“I was mainly raised in Kuala Lumpur in an urban setting. I gave it a thought and when I finally committed after two weeks, I left the UK and came back to Malaysia, upon completion of my final exams, and I campaigned in Kapit until election day.
“It's been a great experience and it was challenging. I was very shy, to begin with. In a crowded setting of maybe more than 20 people, I would freeze during my university days. Now, I am giving speeches to hundreds or thousands of people,” he said.
He recalled an experience when he was trembling as he stood in front of a classroom full of parents and teachers in Kapit.
Sng overcame the early jitters after serving his first term, developing a fondness for the people and familiarising himself with the culture and language.
“I think the bottom line is that I was committed to the job.
“Since then, I never looked back, and I have been a politician close to 20 years now. It's been a great experience and there's still so much to do,” he added.
Looking back, Sng said he would not change a thing, although he has had his fair share of fear and anxiety that comes with being a politician.
“But when I look back, I would say that the most rewarding part of this job is actually to see that one can actually make a difference to ordinary people, society and to benefit those who need it most. It is not often you actually get a chance to do that,” he said.
Three generations of family in politics
Growing up in a family of politicians, Sng got a glimpse of life as an officeholder.
“Just getting to understand and know them, thinking back now, doesn't really qualify me as someone who understands politics.
“But just being around, at the very least, gives one a slightly better perspective of what is expected of a politician. You have to give your time, and have the patience to listen,” said Sng
Sng’s grandfather, Sng Chin Joo was an appointed member of parliament during the formation of the Federation of Malaysia in 1963. He represented the Sarawak Chinese Association (SCA) from 1963 until 1969 under the Perikatan alliance.
The elder Sng was later appointed as the community chief, Kapitan Cina of Kapit in the 1980s.
Larry Sng’s father, Sng Chee Hua was the Pelagus assemblyman from 1991 to 2001.
“There is a difference between urban and rural setting. You also have to pick up certain languages, and learn about different cultures,” he added.
“Like when I speak and learn Iban, I actually think like an Iban. When I speak in Chinese, I think like a Chinese.
“It's actually the language that has a very important input in one's thinking which translates into political thinking as well,” he said.
Families, dynasties and politics in East Malaysia
Families forming political dynasties is a feature of East Malaysian politics and Sng said there is nothing wrong or unusual in this.
“I believe it is not uncommon, simply because of our culture, particularly in Sarawak. For instance, if you look at the villages, you have the village chief, and when the village chief retires, his son takes over.
“I don't see that as a deficiency in politics, I do think that is actually part of the way things are, in Sarawak. Is it always a perfect model? I don't think so, but it has served its purpose,” he said.
Moving forward, however, Sng feels as people become more educated and better informed, they will have a different perspective of officeholders, and how the latter is evaluated.
“If you are not capable, people will not vote for you. If you are not prepared to be part of the change, you will be changed.
“I believe that is how things should move forward from here,” he added. - The Vibes, October 16, 2020.
