Perth Voice Interactive

Keith Yong wants to turn Perth into an international tourist destination.

The Malaysian-born solicitor will run for Perth city council at the October elections.

Mr Yong, 35, wants to make Chinatown and Northbridge cleaner and safer, attracting more tourists from interstate and overseas.

“Cleaning up all the rubbish in the lanes at the back of Chinatown will be a good start,” he says.

“More CCTV and a bigger police presence would also help.

“I want the area to be vibrant with more restaurants and businesses—a real showcase for Perth.

“The sinking of the rail line will connect the CBD to Northbridge and hopefully funnel more tourists up there.”

Mr Yong moved from Malaysia 10 years ago and has steadily built ties with the local Asian community. He is an executive member of the WA Chung Wah association, president of the WA Hakka association and a member of WA Chinese chamber of commerce.

He studied law at King’s College in London and is a partner at Lex Legal on Adelaide Terrace, specialising in property disputes and civil litigation.

“My experience in property law will be handy with all the new developments scheduled to be built in the city,” he says.

Mr Yong is fluent in English, Chinese, Malay, Cantonese and Hakka.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK