Here's Why This Twitter-Famous PH Supporter Is Running Against Anwar In Port Dickson
Independent candidate Stevie Chan told SAYS that he has always been a supporter of Pakatan Harapan's reform agenda.
By Jia Vern Tham — 27 Sep 2018, 07:38 PM
Stevie Chan Keng Leong, previously known as @YouTiup and now @tapaimalaya, is no stranger to Malaysian Twitter users
The 51-year-old, who was born and raised in Melaka, had always been a supporter of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his family
"I have been their supporter for a very long time. I'm friends with many in PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat)," Stevie said in an interview with SAYS.
He also stressed that he fully backs the current government's campaign promises.
However, the Twitter personality has decided to run against Anwar in the upcoming Port Dickson by-election, where the PKR president-elect aims to make his parliamentary comeback
Stevie announced his preparation to be an independent candidate for the by-election on 20 September.
"The Port Dickson by-election is manufactured for one man's arrogance," Stevie said, in reference to the resignation of ex-Port Dickson Member of Parliament (MP) Datuk Danyal Balagopal Abdullah to pave way for Anwar's return to Parliament.
"This is opening the door to a BN (Barisan Nasional) 2.0. We voted out corruption, arrogance, and a lack of accountability (on 9 May), and the Port Dickson by-election is exactly (all of) that," he added.
Stevie also criticised Anwar's choice of contesting in Port Dickson
"I think (Datuk Seri Dr.) Wan Azizah (Wan Ismail) has made it clear that she is a seat-warmer for her husband. What happened to that? What about (Nurul) Izzah and the Permatang Pauh seat? If you want people to give up their seats for you, it should be either one of them," he stressed.
Stevie then expressed hope for an amendment of election laws to penalise MPs who resign from their posts.
"I really hope our government can draft a law whereby anyone who resigns (from his post) to give way to other people, or jumps (to another) party, will automatically trigger an investigation by the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission)," he said.
Nonetheless, Stevie reiterated that his campaign is not anti-Anwar
"This campaign is not against Anwar. It is against the method (of Anwar's return to Parliament), and how things are done," Stevie told SAYS.
"They showed no respect for the democratic due process and to me, that's a fundamental sin," he added.
Stevie also noted that he has the support of "prominent" people in his bid for the Port Dickson parliamentary seat.
"We have a lot of supporters who cannot support us overtly. Almost none of them can. There are very prominent people who are supporting us with kind words and resources, but they cannot come out and campaign for us," he said.
When asked about his plans as an MP if he wins the by-election, Stevie said he only wants to be a true representative of his constituents in Parliament
"I'm not trying to be a hero or a leader in Port Dickson, I'm just an outsider," Stevie said, before claiming that the constituency already has its own community leaders.
"If I win, I just want to be a true representative (of my constituents) in Parliament. I have no bosses other than my constituents. I don't have to ask for permission to say anything," he added.
In reference to the warning of a veteran backlash against Anwar in the by-election by the National Patriots Association (Patriot), Stevie expressed his openness to a working relationship with the group.
"I will pack and move to Port Dickson. Patriot can send a representative into my office. We'll work out a permanent relationship for the duration of my tenure," he told SAYS.