KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Hans Isaac says his bid to run for PKR’s Ampang division chief post aims to help the community and party grassroots members, instead of fermenting partisan politics.
The 50-year-old celebrity actor, who is contesting against party newcomer and hip-hop star Altimet – real name Syed Ahmad Syed Abdul Rahman – and five other long-time members for the post says he also feels the division needs a new lineup to boost its integrity.
In an interview with The Vibes, Hans said he is looking to gather more hardworking individuals who will help fuel the party machinery and who are dedicated to serving the constituency.
Hans, who has himself lived in Ampang for more than 40 years, said his decision to run for the post is also based on “the need to look at the bigger picture” after doing charity work through his non-governmental organisation KitaBudakAmpang.
He said that through the NGO, he delivered aid to low-income households and those in disaster areas, and contributed to other programmes, but he wants to do more.
“This is my kampung (hometown). It’s where I grew up. If I had to help people anywhere in Malaysia, I would help my kampung first,” said Hans, who officially joined PKR in 2020.
“I am not a politician. I am an akar umbi (grassroots member) in Ampang. I fight for my people in Ampang. I have the support.”
Hans said he sees himself fit for the role, but does not believe it is about chasing positions or titles.
This is because he does not intend to run for MP in the constituency and face former PKR leader and Ampang incumbent Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin in the next general election, at least not for now.
“If given the chance (to be division chief), a new mandate can come out in Ampang. A new policy in terms of how Ampang (PKR) is run will be placed. We have to also be accountable for the opportunity,” he said.
Hans said he is willing to be evaluated after six months of being elected, and to be replaced if he is unable to deliver.
However, he may change his mind and decide to run for MP later, depending on the situation, he added.
“If I decide to do it (contest for MP) in a couple of months, it will be for the president, grassroots, and for me to decide because it’s my destiny,” he said.
“I need to make the decision for myself as well and for the party. It has to be a win-win situation. I'm doing this for the grassroots – they decided for me to go into the contest for division chief.”
Not withdrawing from contest despite manoeuvres
On his campaign, Hans said his preparation for the contest which starts tomorrow (May 13) has been “massive” and “intense”, and that he is “exhausted”.
He also noted that all programmes and aid that he distributed, as well as salaries for his political office staffers, are out-of-pocket expenses.
“I’m using my own funds to help the people of Ampang. I don’t have any (financial) backing from anyone. I don’t have banks or funders coming my way. None of that. Some people think I’m mad but I’ve got to do this,” he said.
He also insists he is not backing down from the contest although there are some alleged attempts to force his withdrawal from the race.
And like Altimet, Hans feels no animosity towards his celebrity opponent. He is, however, undecided on whether the rapper-turned-producer is ready for the position.
“Regardless of who wins, he is going to be my friend. If I win, he is going to be part of the structure. I will still ask him to join my team. I will never shy from him or push him away,” Hans said.
“He has nothing to lose. I don’t think he even wants it. Why do I want to win? I want to win it for the akar umbi. I want to see Ampang united and I want to clean up Ampang, which is what the policy of the party is.” – The Vibes, May 12, 2022
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