Lee Gao was a famous leader for DAP Kluang from 1960s to 1980s. He had been elected as the state senator of Kluang in 1969 and 1974. He was elected as the state senator as well as the member of parliament in 1978, he was also the national General Treasurer of DAP. His office was on the first floor of No. 14 Jalan Ismail. Lee became the first senator from the opposition who had been conferred PIS Badge of honour from the Sultan of Johor.