From Star.
She also got a web site. http://www.pennywong.com.au/.
Malaysian-born Penny now Aussie minister
By MUGUNTAN VANAR
KOTA KINABALU: The father of Malaysian-born Penny Wong Ying Yen who has been appointed as a Cabinet minister in Australia is thrilled with his daughter’s political success.
“I am very happy. I hope her appointment will be a blessing for Australia,” said Francis Wong Yit Shing, 66, an architect here.
The 39-year-old Penny, who was born in Sabah but grew up in Australia from the age of eight with her mother, was yesterday named Climate Change and Water Minister by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd whose Labor party won the recent elections.
Penny Wong Yin YengFrancis, who described his daughter as a go-getter, said that the portfolio given to his daughter was very “current and important” not only for Australians but for everyone concerned about global warming and climate change.
“I know she is a very responsible person and she will work hard to achieve her objectives,” said Francis, who keeps in touch with his daughter through SMS.
He said he never expected her to become a politician.
“I wanted her to be a doctor and she enrolled for it. A year later she switched to law after going on a student exchange programme to Brazil where she saw the need to help people,” said Francis.
Proud as punch: Francis and Penny keep in touch via SMS and mostly talk about family matters.On completing her studies, she became involved in unions and industrial court cases in Australia.
Penny became the first Asian-born woman Senator when she won a seat in South Australia in 2002.
Last week’s Australian elections saw her winning a second term with her party toppling John Howard’s government.
Asked if he had ever given his daughter any political advice, Francis said the politics that he knew about was only that of South-East Asia.
“We mostly talk family matters.”
Francis said Penny and her mother left Sabah for Australia in 1977 for Penny’s education while he remained in the state.
Over time, he and his wife separated and Penny took up Australian citizenship.
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14 comments:
Good to know an Asian woman shines in the land of angmoh.
Hi Nightwing, hey, thats nice to read. A girl from your part of the world, a Minister in Another country, Crocodile Dundee's country. Good for her!
Here we have a local councilor from Ipoh.
Was surprised when a week before going to vote, was actually going to vote for him too, and that was not knowing he ex-Malaysian, thought from HK.
Then the paper's ran an article about him and sure enough, he from Ipoh.
He's got good future here too
So far he's doing what he said he'll do, unlike some Presidents who says, "read my lips" and after being elected he talks a different language. Oh well.
Never have liked politicians anyway.
Keep well, Nightwing, UL.
she definitely made us asian feel proud :) congrats and all the best for ur political career!
Helo Bee Ean,
Yep...kudos to her. I am sure she will do well.
Helo Uncle Lee,
Not bad, even got an Ipoh guy in ur area...good on him. Goes to show that one is judge on merits...may the guy continue moving forward as with Penny in down under...:)
Helo Winnie,
Ya, I am sure she will continue to do well...:) Keep well now.
Hello Nightwing,
A digression: I heard from Puteri you're quite an accomplished singer! WOW! Please sing for me a special song at Lee's New year's party too..he he. Come join Facebook as yourself boleh? Please add me as your friend..
Helo Kak Ruby,
Don;t worry,already making sure my voice will be in tip top condition for the party...:)
U have any special song request?
Haha, Nightwing, wah, so laku already got request to sing during the new year's eve party!!
Helo Puteri,
Thanks to ur kind words baru ada request..:)
bravo to penny.. :-) oh, you a singer? any chance of taping yourself singing and uploading the video? hehe
Hi Sting,
hehe...i just sing for fun. Camera shy..:)
But will check with my cousin, cause i sang at his wedding...whether there is any video recording...:)
Congrats to Penny indeed .. and she is from Sabah ?? .. double congrats :)
so Mr Night Wing .. was reading all the comments .. and what did Ms eNVy found out from reading ? .. u r an accomplished singer ? ... NICE! ..
Helo Ms Envy,
Ya, she is from ur home state..not bad eh...:)
haha...thanks for stopping by and the kind words...:)
Please no need to address 'Mr'. Make me shy shy...hehe.
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