He was also a Member of Parliament for Shah Alam (1974-1986) and Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry of Malaysia.

Other positions he has held include Ambassador of Malaysia to the United States, Chairman of the Council of the UTAR College.

Lew initially ran for parliamentary seat of Bangsar but lost to DAP candidate Goh Hock Guan.

[1] He was successfully elected for MP of Shah Alam in 1974 and was subsequently appointed as Parliamentary Secretary of Primary Industries in 1976, Lew was promoted to Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry in 1978.

[2] He resigned as Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry in 1983,[3] but he retained his post in MCA and MP of Shah Alam.