Lee said having lived in PJ before would enable him to quickly pick up on the issues faced by residents today, but he realised he had to prove himself to fill the “big boots” left by ex-MP Maria Chin Abdullah.

“I lived in PJ for 10 years. I know the place well,” said Lee, who was the Petaling Jaya Utara PKR Youth vice-chief in 2010.

Lee said he had worked closely with groups in PJ in the past, saying “they (PJ residents) are not strangers to me,” and he aimed to continue Maria’s good work.

“Maria has left me some big boots to fill. She has done a tremendous job in empowerment activities. I’ve spoken to many residents and groups, they all praise her,” he said.

“I definitely have to prove myself, that I can meet the standards that she has set (in serving) the people in PJ.”

PKR’s decision to nominate Lee instead of Maria in PJ had triggered dismay among some residents who felt Maria did not need to be replaced.

On how he would overcome the wariness of residents in accepting him as a possible MP, he said there was no magic formula but it was important that people knew he was here for the long haul.

“As we all know, PJ has among the most sophisticated voters in Malaysia. It is important to give the impression that I am not here just to contest, that I am here also to stay and serve the people,” he said.

Lee said he never envisioned himself as a politician but as a youth, the “glass ceiling” when it came to certain opportunities and privileges bothered him.

“We were taught that if we do our best we will make it but that’s not the case when we enter society,” he said, adding that this fuelled his passion to push for a more just society.

He also said structural change and institutional reforms were not enough for real change and what was needed were good politicians.

“We might have the best system but if you don’t have good people at the top to run it, they can still gain over the system. My duty being a party insider is also to try to get the best possible candidates,” he said.

On whether it was fair for PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli to state that PJ needed an “educated Chinese” when Maria was dropped, Lee said the leadership was entitled to their own opinion but he did not believe in playing the race card.

‘We don’t just label ourselves by race. I would also like to prove myself with my track record and not just on my identity,” he said.