Lee Chean Chung

Summary

Lee Chean Chung is the PKR Member of Parliament for Petaling Jaya (P105), first elected at GE15 in November 2022 with a majority of 50,575 votes after serving three terms as Semambu state assemblyman in Pahang from 2013 to 2022 [1]. A researcher and environmental activist by background, he has focused on public transport, urban liveability, youth empowerment, and welfare programmes in his constituency [1]. In June 2026, he resigned from PKR's Central Leadership Council while stating he would remain a PKR member and continue serving as MP until Parliament is dissolved [2].

Biography

Lee Chean Chung (李健聰) is a Malaysian politician, researcher, and environmental activist who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Petaling Jaya (P105) since November 2022 [1]. He is a member of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), a component party of the Pakatan Harapan coalition [1]. Born and raised in Kuantan, Pahang, Lee holds a bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering from Multimedia University (MMU), a Master of Science in Transportation and Logistics from Malaysia University of Science and Technology (MUST), and a Master in Public Administration from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore [1]. He was also a Dong Fang Scholar from Peking University, China [1]. Before entering elected politics, Lee worked for US and Hong Kong-based companies, and after the 2008 general election joined the Political Studies for Change Unit (KPRU) as a Research Officer, providing strategic research support to PKR's parliamentary members [1]. He served as Member of the Pahang State Legislative Assembly for Semambu from May 2013 to November 2022, before transitioning to federal politics [1]. Within PKR, he has held positions including Chief of the Environmental Bureau (2012–2015), Youth Information Chief (2015–2018), Treasurer-General (December 2018–July 2022), and Communications Director (from July 2022) [1]. In June 2026, Lee resigned from PKR's Central Leadership Council after 18 years in the party, citing concerns over the party's direction and the revocation of his access to the MyKhas parliamentary allocation portal, while stating he would remain a PKR member and continue serving as MP until Parliament is dissolved [2][3].

Known for

Lee Chean Chung is known for his background as a parliamentary researcher-turned-elected representative, and for his consistent focus on environmental protection, public transport accessibility, and youth empowerment in Petaling Jaya. He attracted national attention in June 2026 when he resigned from PKR's Central Leadership Council after his access to the MyKhas constituency allocation portal was revoked, which he described as a punishment of his voters [3][4]. He has also been identified as an associate of former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli and attended the May 2026 launch of Parti Bersama Malaysia [3].

Political positions

On the environment, Lee has consistently advocated against illegal logging and deforestation: as Semambu assemblyman, he brought a potted Chinese Goddess bamboo into the Pahang state assembly chamber to symbolise ecological preservation, and revealed that only 5% of land approved under the state's forest plantation scheme had been replanted [1]. On public transport and urban mobility, Lee has proposed expanding e-hailing networks for vans and motorcycles and improving pedestrian and cycling infrastructure for first- and last-mile connectivity [1]. He supported the completion of a pedestrian walkway to the MRT Phileo Damansara station, funded at RM200,000 by MBPJ, expected to benefit 5,000 to 8,000 commuters [1]. On civil liberties, Lee has argued that hate speech reflects deeper structural problems that cannot be resolved through legislation alone, and that legal restrictions on speech must comply with international standards including legality, legitimate aim, and necessity [3]. On social welfare, he launched a Free Milk Programme for children from low-income families in December 2024, targeting 100 families with children aged 1 to 6 at Desa Mentari [1]. He has also advocated for stateless individuals in his constituency to obtain identity documentation under the Madani government's policies [1].

Education

1. Early 2000sAttended Multimedia University (MMU) for an undergraduate degree in Computer Engineering.⛓
2. 2019Completed post-graduate studies: Master of Science in Transportation and Logistics at Malaysia University of Science and Technology (MUST) and Master in Public Administration at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore (NUS).⛓
3. 2019Awarded Dong Fang Scholar status from Peking University, China.⛓

Before politics

1. Pre-2008Worked for US and Hong Kong-based companies before entering politics.⛓
2. 2008–2011Joined the Political Studies for Change Unit (KPRU) as a Research Officer in the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, conducting parliamentary strategic research for PKR's MPs.⛓

Political career

1. 2008Joined PKR. Served as Vice Youth Chief of PKR Petaling Jaya Utara (2008–2012).⛓
2. 2012Appointed Chief of the Environmental Bureau of PKR, a position he held until 2015.⛓
3. May 2013Won the Semambu state seat in the Pahang State Legislative Assembly at GE13, beginning his first term as an elected representative.⛓
4. November 2013Suspended from the Pahang State Assembly for two sittings after describing the reported RM2.19 million state budget surplus as a 'false' surplus and refusing to withdraw the remark.⛓
5. March 2015Participated in the 'Kita Lawan' street protest movement calling for institutional reforms and the release of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.⛓
6. 2015–2018Served as Youth Information Chief of PKR.⛓
7. May 2018Re-elected to the Pahang State Legislative Assembly for the Semambu seat at GE14.⛓
8. December 2018Appointed Treasurer-General of PKR, a position he held until July 2022.⛓
9. July 2022Appointed Communications Director of PKR.⛓
10. November 2022Won the Petaling Jaya parliamentary seat (P105) at GE15, defeating five other candidates with a majority of 50,575 votes.⛓
11. May 2026Attended the launch of Parti Bersama Malaysia, a new party taken over by former PKR leaders Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.⛓
12. May 29, 2026Access to the MyKhas parliamentary allocation portal revoked by PKR, preventing his office from handling constituency funds and community programmes.⛓
13. June 12, 2026Resigned from PKR's Central Leadership Council (MPP) after 18 years in the party and 8 years in party leadership, stating he would remain a PKR member and continue serving as Petaling Jaya MP until Parliament is dissolved.⛓

Election history

• 2022Petaling Jaya (P105)Won⛓
• 2018Semambu (Pahang State)Won⛓
• 2013Semambu (Pahang State)Won⛓

Perspectives on key issues

• GovernmentPKR information chief and Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil expressed disappointment at Lee's resignation from the Central Leadership Council, saying Lee owed an explanation to his constituents and party members, and that he should have used official party channels to voice concerns rather than social media.⛓
• OppositionFormer Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming (DAP) said Lee stands a 'decent chance' of retaining the Petaling Jaya seat for a second term, even under Parti Bersama Malaysia, and described him as having fulfilled his responsibilities well by speaking up on issues and being present on the ground.⛓
• VerifiedFactsLee Chean Chung is listed as the sitting MP for Petaling Jaya (P105) under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition on the official Parliament of Malaysia member list.⛓
• IndustryThe Edge Malaysia noted that both Lee Chean Chung and Subang MP Wong Chen were barred from accessing constituency funds via the MyKhas portal after they were perceived as likely to join Parti Bersama Malaysia, raising questions about the use of parliamentary allocation access as a political lever.⛓
• AffectedLee stated that Petaling Jaya voters were effectively 'punished' on May 29 when his MyKhas access was withdrawn, preventing his office from continuing constituency allocation matters and community programmes, while PKR had not provided him or his constituents with an official explanation.⛓