Penny has her family at heart

0
66

KOTA KINABALU: For many all over the world, Kota Kinabalu-born Penny Wong, Australia’s newly minted international minister following final weekend’s nationwide election, is a tough-talking, hardball politician.But to her family in Sabah, Penny stays a sort, loving and protecting lady – a far cry from her public persona.

For her youthful brother James, Penny is not any powerful cookie however one who speaks up for the unvoiced and defenceless.

“It is in her nature to defend the weaker people. She does not do it aggressively but will stand up for them on principles.

“Penny is loving and genuine … real genuine and has a very soft side.

“Even when we siblings were having minor fights among ourselves, she would defend the weaker among us. She was never authoritarian,” stated the 35-year-old architect right here.

Giving an additional glimpse into Penny’s non-public self, James – the one sibling from the Wong clan nonetheless in Sabah – stated his sister was down-to-earth, had no airs and wouldn’t insist on protocol.

Penny, 53, is the eldest within the family of seven siblings from their father Datuk Francis Wong’s two marriages.

She is one in every of two youngsters from the primary marriage between Francis and his Australian spouse whereas James is from Francis’ second marriage.

She studied at the University of Adelaide and later represented unions and staff as an industrial courtroom lawyer within the South Australian capital.

Under the Labor Party, she had served twice as a federal minister, for local weather change and finance.

James stated Penny, although a lot older than him, was very a lot a part of the Wong family who spent loads of time collectively, be it in Sabah or Australia.

“We all grew up together as one family; she made many trips to KK (Kota Kinabalu).

“She loves to keep her visits to KK low-key and walks about like a normal tourist,” stated James.

He remembered when Penny got here for a vacation in Kuala Lumpur throughout her stint as Australian finance minister (underneath Julia Gillard’s premiership).

“We were quietly hanging out in KL. When our Malaysian government became aware of her presence, almost immediately there was security put around the hotel. We just had a good laugh when it happened,” James added.

Needless to say, he and the remainder of the family are really happy with Penny as she continues to progress in Australian politics by means of the Labor Party that gained the latest election with its chief Anthony Albanese sworn in as prime minister.

James stated Penny’s massive win underneath the Labor Party confirmed the quantity of assist for her.

“That was very surprising to me. It (her win) is testament to her capability.

“It was good to hear reports that she had been considered for the deputy prime minister’s post. It shows she has done well and we are proud of her,” he stated, referring to the speedy post-election political chatter.

“Penny’s story should be an inspiration to our young Sabahans. Looking at the rise of a simple Sabahan girl in Australian politics, it means that Sabahans have the potential to succeed and should not underestimate themselves,” he added.

James’ different siblings have left Sabah to stay in Australia and equally, his father and mom are there too with all their grandchildren.

“I am the only one left here. I love Sabah,” stated James, who heads the Sabah department of the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce-Young Entrepreneurs Committee aimed at serving to younger entrepreneurs.

Francis was a revered Sabah architect who, amongst others, was concerned in contributing technical recommendation to the Kota Kinabalu city and metropolis growth over time, previous to his retirement.

For James and the remainder of the family, regardless of the place Penny’s political fortunes take her, she is one nice and loving sister who will at all times be there for them.



Source link