Cheah Pou Hian

Summary

Cheah Pou Hian (born 1 January 1970) is the DAP assemblyman for Jelapang (N31), Perak, having held the seat since the 2018 general election and successfully defending it in 2022. A trained engineer by education, he has focused his tenure on constituency-level urban renewal, SME engagement, and infrastructure advocacy in the Ipoh area. He is a member of the Perak DAP state committee elected in 2021.

Biography

Cheah Pou Hian (simplified Chinese: 谢保恒; born 1 January 1970) is a Malaysian politician serving as Member of the Perak State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the N31 Jelapang constituency since May 2018 [1]. He is a member of the Democratic Action Party (DAP), a component party of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition [1]. Cheah holds a Diploma in Electronic Engineering from Linton University College and has completed Electrical Engineering studies at the City and Guilds of London Institute [1]. He first contested and won the Jelapang seat in the 14th General Election (GE14) in May 2018 as a first-time candidate, and successfully defended the seat in GE15 in November 2022 [2]. Within DAP, he was elected as a committee member of the Perak DAP state chapter during its March 2021 triennial elections, aligning with the faction led by state chairman Nga Kor Ming [3]. In his constituency role, Cheah has focused on urban renewal initiatives in the First Garden area of Ipoh, including a five-phase redevelopment project covering residential infrastructure, market upgrades, traffic management, and waste management [4]. He has also engaged with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Jelapang, organising an e-invoice awareness seminar in 2024 and participating in trade delegations [5]. Cheah has raised questions in the Perak State Legislative Assembly on environmental compliance and infrastructure issues [6].

Known for

Cheah Pou Hian is known as a constituency-focused assemblyman who has pursued multi-phase urban renewal in the First Garden area of Ipoh, including housing, market, and public space improvements [4]. He has actively engaged with the SME community in Jelapang through public seminars and trade missions [5]. Within Perak DAP, he serves as a state committee member and has maintained alignment with the party's Perak leadership [3].

Political positions

Cheah Pou Hian has raised questions in the Perak State Legislative Assembly concerning environmental compliance, reflecting a stated interest in ensuring that development does not come at the expense of environmental standards [6]. On infrastructure, he has publicly advocated for the repair of faulty traffic lights on Jalan Menglembu, which he linked to road accidents and fatalities [5]. His housing stance is evident in his suggestion that the Perak Housing and Real Estate Board (LPHP) purchase vacant low-cost flat units to provide affordable rentals for low-income residents [4]. On economic development, he has facilitated SME access to e-invoicing information and international trade opportunities, consistent with the national NIMP 2030 industrial agenda [5].

Education

1. Pre-2018Completed a Diploma in Electronic Engineering at Linton University College and Electrical Engineering studies at the City and Guilds of London Institute.⛓

Political career

1. May 2018Contested and won the N31 Jelapang state seat in the 14th General Election (GE14) under DAP/Pakatan Harapan, becoming MLA for the first time.⛓
2. March 2021Elected as a committee member of the Perak DAP state chapter at the party's triennial elections, as part of the faction led by state chairman Nga Kor Ming.⛓
3. November 2022Successfully defended the N31 Jelapang state seat in the 15th General Election (GE15), becoming a second-term assemblyman under DAP/Pakatan Harapan.⛓

Election history

• 2022Jelapang (N31)Won⛓
• 2018Jelapang (N31)Won⛓

Perspectives on key issues

• VerifiedFactsCheah Pou Hian has served as MLA for Jelapang (N31) since May 2018 and was re-elected in November 2022. He is a DAP member and sits on the Perak DAP state committee. His publicly documented activities focus on constituency urban renewal, SME engagement, housing, and infrastructure advocacy in Ipoh.⛓
• GovernmentCheah has engaged with Perak state government executives, including raising questions in the state assembly on environmental compliance and development standards, as well as advocating for infrastructure repairs affecting his constituency.⛓
• PublicResidents of First Garden low-cost flats in Ipoh have approached Cheah with complaints about safety and living conditions associated with abandoned units, prompting him to launch a formal operation to locate absentee owners and improve conditions.⛓
• IndustryCheah has actively supported SME development in Jelapang, co-organising e-invoice awareness seminars and participating in trade delegations to China alongside representatives from Perak's SME community.⛓