The 47-year-old is the second youngest of seven siblings and comes from a family of MCA loyalists.
He raised some eyebrows when he submitted his nomination papers on Nov 8, with a close friend as proposer and his father as seconder.
An elder brother, and former Duyong assemblyman, Tian Loo, was quoted as saying he and his family would not be voting for Tian Soh.
Tian Soh told FMT his father encouraged him to contest for Duyong even if he had to do so as an independent. He said the old man knew it was in his heart to serve people.
As a young boy, he said, he watched in admiration as his father went out of his way to help people.
“One of my ambitions was to be like him,” he said. “He knows I like to help people. Then, recently, he said, ‘Go and help people. Go and run for election. Don’t think of the party. If you can contest for MCA, then no problem. But even if it’s another party, just do it.’
“So I think it’s the right time. Whether the results are good or bad, at least I’ve tried my best. When I’m 80 and looking back, I will be able to say that I have no regrets because I tried.”
Boon Leong, now 84, is renowned for winning numerous bodybuilding competitions. There are a number of statues of his likeness on Jonker Street. These have become tourist attractions.
He was the Barisan Nasional assemblyman for Duyong from 1995 to 2004, before passing the baton to Tian Loo, who occupied the seat until 2013.
Tian Soh resigned from MCA on nomination day itself. He had been a party member since he was 19.
He said he had no personal issues with MCA and that his reason for running for election was simply to serve the local community. That had always been his aim as a member of the party, he added.
“I have a clear conscience and will be responsible for my actions,” he said. “Whatever the result, I will accept it.”
He is a software and electrical engineer and he said he would address the weak internet coverage in Duyong by coming up with a free WiFi network specifically for the constituency, which is made up mostly of villages.
He also hopes to emulate the Jonker Walk concept for Duyong to draw tourists and boost the local economy. His father was among the key figures behind Jonker Walk’s development.
Another major attraction, he said, could be Hang Tuah’s Well, which is located in Duyong although not many people know this.
“One of my main goals is to help the poor because they have really suffered during this pandemic,” he said.
“I will try to fulfill my father’s wishes to help more Duyong people and help the poor lead a better life. That’s what he wanted to do. I’ll use my professional knowledge to serve them too.”
Duyong is one of three seats that will see a six-cornered contest at the polls on Saturday.
Tian Soh will be taking on incumbent Melaka DAP secretary Damian Yeo (Pakatan Harapan), PAS’ Kamarudin Sedik (Perikatan Nasional), Umno’s Mohd Noor Helmy Abd Halen (Barisan Nasional), Putra’s Mohd Faizal Amzah and another independent, Muhamad Hafiz Ishak.