Lee Chean Chung
Lee Chean Chung [1](simplified Chinese: 李健聪; traditional Chinese: 李健聰; pinyin: Lǐ Jiàn Cōng; Jyutping: Lei5 Gin6 Cung1; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Lí Kiān-chhong) is a Malaysian politician, researcher and environmental activist who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Petaling Jaya since November 2022. He served as Member of the Pahang State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Semambu from May 2013 to November 2022. He is a member of the People's Justice Party (PKR), a component party of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition. He has also served as the Communications Director of PKR since July 2022, Vice Chairman of PKR of Pahang since 2019, Division Chief of PH of Indera Mahkota since 2018 and Division Chief of PKR of Indera Mahkota since 2011. Currently, He holds membership in Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) and ASEAN Parliamentary for Human Rights (APHR). YB Lee is also the Chairman of Centre for Regional Strategic Studies (CROSS) and President of Malaysia-China Technology Promotion Association. Early lifeLee was born and raised in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. EducationLee attended the Multimedia University (MMU) for his undergraduate pursuing Engineering (Majoring in Computer) and continued his post-graduate studies in Malaysia University of Science and Technology (MUST)[2] and Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore (NUS) in 2019,[3] pursuing Master of Science in Transportation and Logistics, as well as Master in Public Administration respectively. Lee was also a Dong Fang Scholar from Peking University, China. Political careerMember of Parliament (since 2022 - Present)Lee moved to the federal politics from Pahang state politics by contesting In the 2022 Malaysian general election and not contesting in the 2022 Pahang state election. Lee was nominated by his party to contest for the Petaling Jaya federal seat. He won and was elected to Parliament as the Petaling Jaya MP. He defeated a total of five candidates who are four candidates from Perikatan Nasional (PN), BN, Homeland Fighters Party (PEJUANG), Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) and an independent candidate by a majority of 50,575 votes.[4][5][6] PJ UP Programme and Youth Training InitiativesIn December 2023, Lee announced a collaboration between his parliamentary service centre and private partners Novastar and Helios Media to enhance the PJ UP programme, an initiative aimed at youth empowerment. The programme offered LED installation training to young participants, with the goal of equipping them with competitive skills in emerging industries. Lee stated that the initiative was part of a broader effort to ensure that youth are better prepared to seize opportunities in new and growing sectors.[7] On 23 March 2024, the first cohort of 31 participants successfully completed and passed their training examinations. On 14 May 2025, 5 participants under the PJ Up Program passed the NCE Level 2 Installation Course. PJ Old Town Cultural and Culinary MapIn September 2024, Lee announced the launch of a cultural and culinary map of Petaling Jaya Old Town, aimed at attracting tourists and visitors to explore the area's local food, leisure spots, and cultural heritage. In collaboration with a group of volunteers, approximately 20,000 copies of the bilingual map were self-produced and printed for public distribution. The guide features 18 historical or cultural landmarks, 13 long-standing traditional businesses, and 18 local delicacies, and is available in three languages.[8][9] Infrastructure and Public Transport ImprovementsIn March 2024, Lee secured funding through the Mesra Rakyat Programme (PMR) to upgrade the football field at Block C of Desa Ria Flats in Petaling Jaya. The completed facility now serves as a well-equipped recreational space for the local community.[10] In January 2025, Lee proposed several measures to improve public transport accessibility, including expanding the e-hailing network for vans and motorcycles, and enhancing pedestrian, bicycle, and e-scooter infrastructure to improve first- and last-mile connectivity.[11] In May 2025, with Lee's support, a pedestrian walkway to the MRT Phileo Damansara station was officially completed and opened. Funded with RM200,000 by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), the walkway is expected to benefit between 5,000 and 8,000 commuters by providing a safer and more convenient route to the station, thereby encouraging greater public transport usage.[12] Child Nutrition and Welfare ProgrammesIn December 2024, Lee launched the Free Milk Programme for Children from Low-Income Families, targeting malnutrition among children in his constituency. The pilot phase, launched at Desa Mentari Blocks 5 and 6, provides weekly milk supplies to 100 families with children aged 1 to 6. Lee expressed hope to expand the initiative to more communities, reaffirming his commitment to child health and welfare.[13] Addressing Statelessness in Petaling JayaIn 2024 and 2025, Lee actively advocated for the rights of stateless individuals in his constituency, helping 20 long-time applicants finally obtain their MyKad under the Madani government's inclusive policies.[14] Pasar Besar Jalan Othman Revitalisation PlanIn April 2025, Lee Chean Chung, MP for Petaling Jaya, proposed a revitalisation plan for Pasar Besar Jalan Othman to address declining foot traffic and support local economic recovery. Following consultations with hawkers, his parliamentary service centre submitted three main proposals to the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ). These included activating the underutilised second floor of the market by inviting young entrepreneurs—such as artisans, baristas, and bakers, to create a creative-traditional hybrid space; establishing a site management team comprising hawker representatives to oversee coordination and outreach; and forming a job-matching task force to address local unemployment while helping hawkers overcome labour shortages caused by restrictions on foreign workers. [15] Member of the Pahang State Legislative Assembly (2013–2022)In the 2013 Pahang state election, Lee was nominated by his party to contest for the Semambu state seat. He won and was elected into the Pahang State Legislative Assembly as the Semambu MLA for the first term. He defeated defending MLA Pang Tsu Ming of Barisan Nasional (BN) and an independent candidate by a majority of 3,200 votes. In the 2018 Pahang state election, Lee was renominated by his party to defend the Semambu seat. He won again and was reelected as the Semambu MLA for the second term. He defeated candidates of BN and the Gagasan Sejahtera (GS) by the slightly bigger majority of 5,511 votes. In the 2022 Pahang State Legislative Assembly debate on the royal address, Lee made headlines by bringing a potted Chinese Goddess bamboo into the chamber, symbolising the value of ecological preservation. During the debate, He criticised the abuse of the forest plantation (Ladang Hutan) scheme as a cover for illegal logging. He revealed that out of the 73,360 hectares of land approved under the programme, only 5% had undergone replanting, resulting in widespread land degradation. He called on the government to table a white paper to investigate the link between these forest conversions and recurring floods, and further proposed amending state laws to impose harsher penalties on irresponsible loggers who exploit forests for profit.[16][17] Other Political ExperiencesLee has also held other positions as the Treasurer-General of PKR from December 2018 to July 2022, Youth Information Chief of PKR from 2015 to 2018, Chief of Environmental Bureau of PKR from 2012 to 2015, Vice Youth Chief of PKR of Petaling Jaya Utara from 2008 to 2012. In 2008 to 2011, He was a Research Officer of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition where He conducted parliamentary strategic research for all 31 Member of Parliament of PKR. He was also a board member of Kuantan Port Authority in 2019 where they facilitated the port to be declared as a free-zone port in April of the same year. Other careersBefore joining active politics, Lee worked in the United States & Hong Kong-based companies.[citation needed] He joined the Political Studies for Change Unit (KPRU) as a Research Officer after the 2008 general election. His unit provided strategic research support and organised consultative meetings of bills for nearly 30 MPs. Lee was active in environmental movements and was appointed as the Media Chief for Stop Lynas Coalition (SLC) and the Publicity Chief for Himpunan Hijau 2.0 in 2011 during the movements against Lynas, the largest rare earth processing plant then in the world that was built next to Kuantan. Lee also has research experience in several fields. His master thesis, titled “GPS Taxi Dispatch System Based on A* Shortest Path Algorithm”, has been cited in several journal articles.[18][19][20] In 2019, he co-published a paper on "Institutions for Sustainability: Informal Settlers" in the GSP Conference 2019:[21] Urban Possibilities: Reimagining Philippines. He co-authored books including "Jiwa Merdeka" and "Green Political Reform" (绿色政改), and is a contributor to The Edge, Malaysiakini and Oriental Daily.[citation needed] Being active in international engagement and training, Lee was awarded the Most Outstanding Alumnus of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Young Politicians (KASYP) program in 2019. He is also the fellow of International Adenauer Network, Professional Fellow of Youth for South East Asia Leadership Initiatives (YSEALI) and American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL), and a graduate of the Political Advisor Course, Graduate School of Government (The University of Sydney). He was invited to speak at the Youth Leadership Academy of the Generation Democracy (2017), Copenhagen Democracy Summit (2020) as well as invitation by the Danish Institute for Parties and Democracy (DIPD) (2020). Investigated & Charged in CourtSuspension from Assembly and Merdeka Day Controversy (2013–2014)During debate on the Pahang 2014 state budget on 19 November 2013, Lee described the reported RM2.19 million surplus as a “false” surplus. When he refused to withdraw the remark, the assembly voted on 26 November to suspend him for the next two sittings under Standing Orders 36(4) and 36(6). On 29 August 2014, shortly after the second sitting had ended, the secretariat cancelled an earlier invitation for Lee to attend the state Merdeka Day rehearsal and celebration in Kuantan, citing the lapsed suspension, a move he condemned as an abuse of power.[22][23] Kita Lawan Rally (2015)In March 2015, Lee participated in the "Kita Lawan" ("We Fight") movement, which organized street protests calling for reforms and the release of opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. On September 8, 2015, he, along with other activists and opposition politicians, was charged under Section 4(2)(c) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 for participating in a street protest that began in front of the Sogo Complex and ended at the fountain at the Jalan Tun Perak intersection on March 21, 2015. If convicted, the offense carries a maximum fine of RM10,000.[24] Felda Protest and Police Investigation (2017)On 6 January 2017, Lee and Felda activist Razali Ithnin delivered a memorandum at Felda's Kuala Lumpur headquarters to protest the agency's plan to buy a 37 percent stake in Indonesia's PT Eagle High Plantations. After the event, both were summoned by police for questioning on 10 February 2017 under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012. Lee contended that the brief hand-over outside the building did not constitute a public assembly.[25] Participation in Anti-Lynas Protest and Police Inquiry (2019)On 18 August 2019, Lee attended a Save Malaysia, Stop Lynas protest in Kuantan. Although organisers had given the police 18 days’ notice, the Kuantan Municipal Council did not issue venue approval, leading police to deem the gathering unauthorised. On 21 August he was among five individuals summoned by police for questioning over the event, clarifying that he had joined as a participant rather than an organiser.[26] Flash-Mob Protest Against Inflation and Police Questioning (2022)In July 2022, Lee and several Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) members organised a flash-mob protest in Kulai, Johor, highlighting surging living costs and calling for stronger anti-inflation measures. He was later summoned by police for questioning over his participation in the protest.[27] Election results
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