Saturday May 11, 2013

GE13: Political rivalry poses no threat to blood ties

PETALING JAYA: They may belong to opposite political divides with differing ideologies but the Teng brothers remain united in brotherly love.

DAP strongman Teng Chang Khim, 50, and his younger brother Chang Yeow, 49, of Gerakan, had battled behind enemy lines on opposite sides in the most hard-fought election in Malaysian history.

But they have never allowed the raging political fire to burn and hurt their family ties.

While many Malaysians bickered over politics in cyberspace and coffeeshops, the Teng brothers enjoyed their annual family holidays peacefully abroad despite being members of rival parties.

“Our last vacation was to China in December, just five months before the election,” said Chang Khim.

He said they had been going on family vacations over the last five years and among the destinations visited were Europe, Taiwan and Singapore.

“When we are together, we make it a point not to talk about politics because we do not want to waste precious time arguing as we only meet during vacations, Chinese New Year and cheng beng.

“Life would be dull and meaningless if we let politics overwhelm family ties,” said Chang Khim.

Both Chang Khim and Chang Yeow had been contesting in elections since 1995.

“This is the fifth term we are contesting. We are seasoned politicians who keep family and politics separate,” said Chang Khim.

Chang Yeow, who had led the Barisan Nasional machinery in Penang, has quit all party posts following the total loss suffered by Gerakan, MCA and MIC in the state.

“We are lucky that we are not fighting against each other in the same state ... We have avoided a head-on collision,” said Chang Khim.

Chang Yeow contested and lost the Bukit Tengah state seat in Penang, while Chang Khim successfully defended his Sungai Pinang state seat in Selangor.

Another pair of brothers caught in political crossfire is Tan Sri Shahrir Samad (Umno) and Khalid Samad (PAS).

Shahrir, 63, succeeded in defending his Johor Baru parliamentary seat albeit by a reduced majority while Khalid won and retained the Shah Alam parliamentary seat.

Khalid, 56, said that although his brother was not happy when he joined the Islamist party in 1983, he did not stop him.

“We do not argue about politics at home out of respect for our parents,” he said.

Khalid said their parents had taught them to be true to their principles.

He added that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and former Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein were his second cousins.

For more election stories, please visit The Star's GE13 site

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