Teresa Kok

Teresa Kok Suh Sim (Chinese: 郭素沁; pinyin: Guō Sù Qìn; born 31 March 1964) is a Malaysian Member of Parliament from the Democratic Action Party (DAP).

Early life and education

Born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, Teresa is a second-generation Malaysian of Chinese descent. Kok is a member of the Hakka dialect group and her ancestors were from Huizhou, Guangdong Province, China. She speaks Malay, English and Chinese fluently. Kok is a Catholic.

She earned her first degree from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), graduating in the School of Communication, and; a second degree from University Malaya in political science, and a master of philosophy. Her thesis was on UMNO, titled "Factionalism in Umno During Dr Mahathir's Era (1981–2001)".

Political career

Kok was political secretary to Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang from 1990 to 1995. In 1995, she contested the Ipoh Barat Parliamentary seat on a DAP ticket but was defeated by the MCA candidate. Kok resigned as political secretary after that to further her studies.