Lights, Camera, Election! The Marvelous Tale of Choy San Yeh
Who’s the Superstar of Seputeh?
In the whirlwind of Malaysia’s 15th general election, one candidate has turned heads by turning herself into a living legend. 55‑year‑old Lian Choy Ling, the independent contender for the Seputeh seat, is zipping around the campaign trail in the persona of Choy San Yeh — the “God of Prosperity” in Cantonese.
Why the Divine Disguise?
Instead of a dusty manifesto, Lian opted for a splash of charisma. When she stepped in to vote at SJK(C) Yoke Name in Taman OUG, the crowd wasn’t sure if she was there for the ballot or a cosplay event. As The Star had it, the whole “God of Prosperity” outfit literally turned up on the voting day.
Behind the Curtain
- Late Arrival: Lian didn’t even show up on nomination day (Nov 5) because she had a bout of Covid‑19. Her twin sister signed the paperwork in the meantime, according to Sin Chew Daily.
- Market Debut: She introduced herself on Nov 15 at the bustling Seri Petaling night market in Kuala Lumpur. Armed with a loudspeaker, she tried to command the attention of every passer‑by.
- Purpose of the Late Campaign: “I felt there were no other candidates worth voting for,” Lian told The Star. “Waiting until the end was a ‘Bait and Switch’ strategy to make people remember the name Choy San Yeh.”
- Funding & Team: She’s running a lean campaign, hoping to win with minimal budget and a tiny crew.
The Battleplan
Lian’s challengers include:
- Incumbent Teresa Kok (Barisan Nasional)
- Lee Kah Hing (BN)
- Wong Yee Yeng (Perikatan Nasional)
- Lee Wai Hong (Independent)
Remember, in 2018, Kok won the Seputeh seat by an overwhelming margin — 63,094 votes against BN’s Chan Quin Er’s 7,035.
Final Thoughts
With her “Divine Strategy” and a touch of humor, Lian Choy Ling is trying to bring a little magic to the Malaysian ballot box. Whether the people of Seputeh will chase after the God of Prosperity remains to be seen. Until then, let’s keep a close eye on this charismatic underdog who’s rewriting election night one persona at a time.
