Tuesday April 15, 2008

Yeoh makes dad proud

By LIM CHIA YING

My MP: Subang Jaya

Full name: Hannah Yeoh Tseow Suan
Party: DAP
Age: 29
Marital status: Married
Number of children: None
Education: Bachelor of Laws, University of Tasmania
Profession: Former event manager

AS THE eldest child in the family, Subang Jaya MP Hannah Yeoh has been groomed from an early age to lead by example and to take her education seriously.

She recalls her parents having high expectations of her to perform well in her studies.

She had to read storybooks as soon as she was enrolled in kindergarten. Then in primary school, her father made her memorise grammar books from cover to cover.

“I remember once when my dad made me walk home from school when I got second place instead of first in class,” recalled Yeoh.

“But I’m thankful for the strict upbringing as it has taught me the need to take education seriously. As the eldest child, I was expected to be a role model to my younger siblings.

“If my dad had not been strict with me, I would have probably grown up without an interest in reading nor would I have cultivated leadership skills,” Yeoh reasoned.

She said her dad was definitely the stricter of her parents, but she understood that he did not come from a well-to-do family which was why he placed such emphasis on his children’s education.

“I know that dad is very proud now to see me becoming an assemblyman. In fact, he has long harboured hopes of me joining politics,” added Yeoh.

She said her 60-year-old father was still working in his own printing business.

“I owe him for my upbringing. Dad always tells me that while he wants to see me become a successful person, I must remember to give back to the society, which is the reason why I joined politics,” she said.

A leader at her church, Yeoh said God was also her source of strength.

“I don’t take things for granted, and I'm contented with what I have and where I am. And I'm thankful to have a husband who supports me all the way,” she enthused.

StarMetro: How much time to do you spend on the computer?

Yeoh: A few hours a day.

StarMetro: Do you blog?

Yeoh: Yes.

StarMetro: Do you have a website?

Yeoh: Yes, hannahyeoh.blogspot. com2

StarMetro:Do you play a musical instrument, dance or sing?

Yeoh: I have a small keyboard at home. I learned to play a few songs when I was in university. I can't dance. My husband thinks I can sing.

StarMetro:What kind of music do you listen to?

Yeoh: Gospel songs.

StarMetro: Name a favourite song.

Yeoh: Amazing Grace

StarMetro: Name a favourite movie.

Yeoh: One Fine Day starring George Clooney and Michelle Pfeiffer

StarMetro: What do you read?

Yeoh: Blogs and Christian literature.

StarMetro: What was the last book you read?

Yeoh: Drawing Near by John Bevere

StarMetro: Are you into English Premier League football?

Yeoh: No, but I have a favourite team.

StarMetro: What's your team and favourite player?

Yeoh: Arsenal, Thierry Henry

StarMetro: If not football, what's your favourite sport?

Yeoh: Jogging and swimming

StarMetro: What do you play?

Yeoh: Tennis, table-tennis, badminton and handball.

StarMetro: Who is your favourite sports star?

Yeoh: Cheah Soon Kit and Soo Beng Kiang

StarMetro: Got a nickname? How did it come about?

Yeoh: Ginger. My good friend Jochebed decided to name a few of us after vegetables (as we all love vegetables) and because I like ginger, hence the nickname.

StarMetro: What languages can you speak?

Yeoh: Bahasa Malaysia, English and Cantonese.

StarMetro: Do you smoke?

Yeoh: No.

StarMetro: What is the gadget you can't do without?

Yeoh: Handphone and laptop.

StarMetro: What's your favourite food?

Yeoh: Chicken rice.

StarMetro: You have a weakness for?

Yeoh: Earrings

StarMetro: What car do you drive and how long have you had it?

Yeoh: Hyundai Getz. Almost four years.