The Star reported that Ken Ong, a 57-year-old two-term councillor, is taking up the challenge to “break the bamboo ceiling” as it is uncommon for an Asian to make such an attempt.

Ong, who has been living in Melbourne for more than 30 years, hopes his background in engineering and business will help him run the city more efficiently.

“We’re seen as immigrants, but over the last 10 years it’s become more common to see Asians in positions of influence.

“I’ve always been interested in contributing more to the community, so I want to step up to a position where I can directly help groups and causes,” he was quoted as saying.

According to the report Ong has also advised the councils of various Malaysian cities, including Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya and Penang, on how to improve their street amenities and accessibility.

Ong, an avid walker, plans to use sustainability and eco-consciousness as one of the platforms of his campaign.

Despite having settled in Melbourne after going to study engineering at Monash University there more than three decades ago, Ong makes it a point to make trips back home to visit his 94-year-old mother, and for the Christmas holidays.

If Ong wins, he would not be the first Malaysian in political office in Australia.

In 2010, Sabah-born Penny Wong was named as finance minister in Julia Gillard’s Labor government.

A former lawyer in Adelaide, Wong was elected to represent South Australia in the Senate in 2001 and later named minister in charge of climate change, energy efficiency and water when Kevin Rudd won office in 2007.