BLOGGER Jeff Ooi, 52, may be contesting in his first general election, but he's far more well-known than more seasoned politicians.

In fact, the opposition Democratic Action Party candidate and former business intelligence analyst is expected to win the Jelutong seat in Penang comfortably on March 8 and make Malaysian history as the first blogger to become an MP.

my paper spoke to Mr Ooi in Penang yesterday after the launch of his first book, i-Witness, to raise funds for his campaign.

Hi Jeff, 10 days to go to the polls. Any regrets?

No regrets. A man, I mean a blogger, has got to do what he has to do.

You quit Gerakan to join the DAP last year. What made you?

I despise Barisan Nasional's (BN) race-based politics. Gerakan, a multiracial political party, is endorsing BN's race-based ideology. I quit as I can't agree with this. True enough, Gerakan is fielding no non-Chinese candidates in the election.

And the DAP has no problem with that?

No problem, The leadership courted me when I was still with Gerakan.

You are a Kedah native contesting in Penang. Should that be an issue?

Not an issue now, as Chia Kwang Chye, Lee Kah Chun and Teng Hock Nam are born in Penang. No double standards please.

What is Jelutong like - the people, the issues?

It's an ageing constituency as only 15.7 per cent of the people are below 35 years old. Jelutong has been punished by BN while it was in opposition hands. It needs to catch up with development and better quality of life.

Bread and butter issues reign high. There are strong ill feelings against inequitable distribution of national wealth. Now that the cost of living has gone up, unhappiness is fermenting.

Jelutong strongman and DAP chairman Karpal Singh paved the way for you to contest in Jelutong. What's the party's strategy?

Checks and balances to BN. People feel cheated for voting in BN with a 91 per cent majority in 2004.

How do you see yourself stepping into Karpal's shoes?

I am a blogger who speaks good Malay, can bring up people's agenda in the Parliament that BN candidates can't and dare not.

If you get into Parliament, what will you be fighting for?

Say no to race-based politics. Legislate to ban race-based political parties.

Will you promote blogging? Will you have time to blog?

I will blog live in the parliament.

What if you lose the election?

Go back to blogging, and shout outside the Parliament.

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