USING her primary school teacher as the example, Hannah Yeoh urged civil servants last night to get out of their comfort zone and vote Pakatan Harapan on May 9.

Speaking to a crowd of about 5,000 in Putrajaya, Yeoh, the DAP candidate for Segambut, invited her primary school teacher whom she introduced as “Cikgu Raja Kamarulzaman” on stage.

“The first time I contested under the DAP ticket was in 2008 when I was 29. I received a phone call from my former teacher, Cikgu Raja Kamarulzaman, who told me that he would campaign for me. He also told me not to be afraid as he has a trust in me. This is the example of a government servant who is not afraid to do the right thing,” she said.

She said she believed there are more civil servants like her former teacher who can no longer tolerate the level of corruption in Putrajaya.

“He was humiliated by his friends when he campaigned on my behalf. But because of his bravery, it paved the way for me to become the first woman speaker in Malaysia,” she said, inviting her former teacher to join her on the stage.

“Not only the first woman speaker in Malaysia but also the youngest,” she said to thunderous applause.

This is because, she said, 10 years ago, one government servant was brave to make change.

“So, I urge civil servants to create history and support Pakatan Harapan. So, do not be afraid. They (the government) will not take disciplinary against you,” said Yeoh.

Yeoh also cited her party DAP’s and PH chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s decision to leave their comfort zone to fight with PH.

“When he was with Umno, he was well respected by party leaders but when he left his comfort zone to stand with Pakatan Harapan, he was insulted to the extent that his photograph was cut out from billboards. This was the price Dr Mahathir was willing to pay to be with PH.”

A civil servant, who only wanted to be known as Mikael, 33, said his colleagues never talked openly about their political stand.

“They are concerned about many things. So, they don’t really share their political stand. I don’t even talk about this with my colleagues,” he said.

Those who are new can still be persuaded to vote PH, he said, because they are not stuck in the comfort zone.

“But seniors, who have been in the service longer might not change. They are comfortable… too comfortable.”

Laila another government servant said her presence at the ceramah should indicate something.

“I was a hardcore Barisan Nasional supporter. My whole family were BN supporters. Who will I be voting? Well, I am here, right? That should mean something,” she said.

The PH candidate for the Putrajaya parliamentary seat is Dr Samsu Adabi Mamat. The seat is considered a fixed deposit for BN.

Samsu faces the incumbent Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and Zainal Abidin Kidam (PAS). – May 4, 2018.