PH's Fahmi goes from putting up posters to being a 'poster' boy

KUALA LUMPUR: From sticking election posters to being on them, that is the journey of Lembah Pantai parliamentary candidate Fahmi Fadzil.
Fahmi, 37, has been involved in politics since 1999 when the 'Reformasi" movement was at its height.
As a teenager, he found his life taking a turn in 1998 following the sacking of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as deputy prime minister and deputy Umno president – an episode that sparked the Reformasi movement that year.
"I've been helping in Lembah Pantai since 1999. That time I was helping PKR to put up posters, and God willing I am now in the poster," said the well-spoken Fahmi after the nomination process ended today.
"I've also been helping out in the past elections. But the way I see it, the PRU 14 will be the toughest," he said in reference to the delineation that was introduced recently, which saw Brickfields being excluded from the constituency and an addition of 6,598 voters from Tasik Perdana.
"The gerrymandering that took place saw a lot of ghost voters in this area. This has created a nervous campaign for us because we believe that democracy needs to be heeded and this election needs to be run smoothly.
"We will make sure that the message that will be passed on is we want a clean and fair election.
"However, with the current wave we are witnessing, let's hope for a positive outcome," he told theSun.
The 2013 general election provided a major test for Fahmi as he helped then MP Nurul Izzah Anwar to a notable victory over his current opponent, Umno and Barisan Nasional heavyweight Datuk Seri Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin.
Prior to formally joining PKR, the graduate in chemical engineering from Purdue University in Indiana was a writer and award-winning theatre performer and has appeared in shows such as 'Gol & Gincu' and interview programme The Fairly Current Show.
When asked about his burning desire to be part of political history, Fahmi said it is all in a day's work.
"The pressure is always there for me, but the pressure on the people is always more. I have met families who survive on RM300 a month, I have met families who only eat bread and biscuit for dinner, this is the kind of thing that is happening in Kuala Lumpur today," said Fahmi.
"There seems to be a lack of recognition that this is a very serious and sad state of affairs. So for me, I want to address these rather than anything petty."
Fahmi said his sole aim is to serve the people of Lembah Pantai.
"I will present to you my manifesto in this coming days. We (PKR) are giving more attention to the well-being of the people of Malaysia.
"During my conversation with the people of Lembah Pantai, it was brought to my attention that they are really troubled by the continuous rise of the cost of living, GST, but somehow the salary remains the same. So that is the issue we want to tackle."
Lembah Pantai is an exciting constituency, with the affluent neighbourhood of Bangsar on one side and the lower-income households of the PPR flats in Pantai Dalam.
There is a vast difference in social status, with different communities living in hundreds of mixed large and small residential areas.
While some might see that as a problem, Fahmi is relishing the prospect of working together with the high-end community that reads the Wall Street Journal to the PPR flats tenants whose main entertainment may be local TV stations.
"You can't deny the 1MDB issue will always be in everyone's mind. That being said, I believe that Malaysians know they need a change," he said.
Nearly 37% of voters in Lembah Pantai are below the age of 40.
So for someone who is in that group, Fahmi believe he is able to represent a significant portion of younger voters here.
"I understand what the younger generation is thinking and talking about, and also how they feel. It is about the cost of living, jobs, housing, and it is about a better future.
"And I believe you cannot have someone who can defend this current administration with all of its profligacy, and the scandals going on. Therefore, I believe Malaysians want a better future, and what better than to choose the lighter blue colour and a younger candidate."
When asked whether he has any message for the people of Malaysia, Fahmi said: "I want everyone to come out and vote. And please go out early and vote."