No prodigal son

IN 2010, Zairil Khir Johari did the unthinkable.

In a country where politics and family often seem inextricably linked, the then 28-year-old broke with Umno, of which his famous father was once secretary-general, and joined the Democratic Action Party (DAP).

Within a year, he was serving as Lim Guan Eng’s political secretary. But maybe the “leap” wasn’t as big as some would assume.

Zairil, after all, hails from Penang, a state rich in cosmopolitan history and cultural diversity.

Indeed, this state exco member for Public Works, Utilities and Flood Mitigation is a true blue Penangite, returning to the island from the United Kingdom when other youths chose to make their fortunes elsewhere.

New politics: Zairil joined DAP in 2010 and served as Political Secretary to Lim Guan Eng.  

Why?

“Things were really heating up in Malay­sia. Since I had a master’s degree in political science, it was very interesting. The real clincher was the 2008 general election. Change seemed possible,” he said.

“Suddenly, there were many young people involved. I realised that politics should be done when you’re young, more idealistic and have energy. More importantly, I wanted to be a part of the change that was going to happen.”

Certainly, the trajectory of Zairil’s political career would have put off the more faint-hearted.

His status as a Malay in DAP has been the source of extensive comment – and not all of it friendly.

But he has never looked back or regretted his decision: “What attracted me to DAP was the space for young people that it offered. I really appreciate that I am judged on my merits, capability and performance.”

The party certainly has not been slow to embrace him. In the 2013 general election, he was fielded in Penang’s Bukit Bendera federal constituency, becoming one of the youngest MPs to win.

This year, he switched to state politics, running for the iconic Tanjong Bunga seat against Barisan Nasional Penang chairman Teng Chang Yeow, triumphing over the latter stalwart with a thumping 9,343 majority.

Home in his heart: Zairil serves on the Penang state exco and is assemblyman for Tanjung Bunga. 

Despite his technocratic veneer, Zairil has a deep and abiding familiarity with Penang’s people, history and heritage.

He has cycled the breadth of the island and used public transportation to get around.

“When I was as young as seven or eight, I would take the bus on my own. I remember cycling back from school; I would cycle as far as Tanjung Bunga from Pulau Tikus,” he recalled.

“I would go to Komtar – the only place to hang out those days – and spend a lot of time at the Times bookstore, reading for free.”

Zairil will likely need this local knowledge, given the tremendous changes and challenges facing the island as well as the country.

One gets a sense that he’s up to the task and relishes doing the leg work: “When I was growing up, the area of Penang I lived in was still a kampung with zinc roofs. In fact, my apartment was one of the first in the area.

Sporty politician: Tennis, football and cycling are Zairil’s favourite sports. As a child, he used to cycle from Pulau Tikus to Tanjung Bunga.  

“I would like my kids to grow up in a meritocratic system, which has elements of solidarity with the underprivileged in exploring those opportunities,” he added.

Penang has quickly and dramatically transformed from a sleepy state into an exciting cultural and economic hub of opportunity.

But in terms of preserving its multi-cultural heritage and shedding race-based political divides, it has a long way to go, much like the rest of Malaysia.

Zairil represents a step forward in embracing progressive and non-racial politics – a change many young Malaysians want to see in the new Malaysia. — By KRA Group