When he cast his ballot during elections, he didn’t give a second thought to the significance of his vote, believing that politics had no impact on his life.
But Teo, who turns 64 this year, says his involvement with PKR-linked research body Invoke a year ago has awakened in him a belated interest in politics.
Teo was just one of the dedicated members at the National Volunteers Fair 2.0, recently launched by Invoke.
Other volunteers FMT spoke to said they too were once clueless and uninterested in politics.
But now, after receiving training from Invoke, they believe they have a role to play in making Malaysia better.
They have registered as polling and counting agents (Paca) with Invoke, and will be helping at polling stations nationwide on behalf of Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the 14th general election (GE14).
PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli said Invoke had trained 3,000 Paca members but hopes to round this up to 20,000 by the time GE14 is called.
Now part of PH, the Paca members are thirsty for a change in government.
Teo said he needed to do something because Malaysia had too much “negativity” at present, with many “wrong things” taking place.
“As citizens, everyone should be contributing something to rebuild the country.
“Being part of this volunteer organisation makes me feel like I have a responsibility for the country. I can also get others to be part of these changes,” he told FMT.
Although he is involved in a small business, he hopes to spare enough time to continue volunteering with Invoke.
Invoke started off as a polling outfit, founded by Rafizi in 2016 using his personal funds. Now, its operations are funded through public contributions.
Using electoral roll data as well as phone polls, Invoke surveys voters on everything from basic details such as age, gender, race and religion, to political leanings and stands on current issues.
Another Paca volunteer, Diyana Kuah Abdullah, 55, joined Invoke three months ago.
Like Teo, she was initially clueless about politics and cast her ballot for the first time in GE13.
“Before this, I was like most people, totally ignorant about what was happening in the country.
“Everybody knows what is going on in Malaysia. People must unite to make changes happen,” said the part-time private tutor who studied child psychology.
She loves children and that makes her even more eager to contribute to change in Malaysia.
“If there is no effort to make a change, the future will be harder for the kids.”
Businessman Hiew Kah Heng, 51, joined as a volunteer a year ago and is hoping for a fair election.
Kathleen Kang, 42, meanwhile, has always been keen on politics and follows Rafizi’s activities on his Facebook page.
She has been participating in rallies since the Reformasi days.
“I’d like to have a better political environment for everybody. I love Malaysia and I feel I’m contributing something to make it a better place.
“Being a volunteer is a way to remind people of their responsibilities to the country.
“I am currently working as a project manager and am using my free time to do volunteer work for Invoke,” she said.