For the 13th Middle Malaysia podcast, media consultant Oon Yeoh speaks to Zairil Khir Johari, the CEO of the Penang Institute and political aide to DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

NONE Zairil describes how he, the son of a former Umno minister, ended up in DAP and not Umno, or even PKR or PAS.

He says that DAP's transformation since the March 8, 2008 general election has been a "necessary evolution" for the party and maintains that the recent influx of prominent Malays has nothing to do with any grand plans to make DAP the lead party in Pakatan Rakyat.

Rather, he says it's simply to Malaysianise a party that, for a long time, was seen as a very parochial Chinese party, so much so that even English-speaking Chinese would not want to join it.

That's all changing, he says, thanks to the March 8 political tsunami and the success that the party has had in leading the Penang state government.

NONE Zairil gives his definition of ‘Middle Malaysia' and argues that BN today no longer appeals to that important demographic. He also talks about the Penang Institute, its rebranding and its new mission.

Lastly, Zairil addresses the speculation that he might be contesting in the upcoming general elections.

Calling it a "poisonous question", he tries to avoid it but ends up giving some indication as to whether he would be interested if given the chance.

Listen to Zairil in this 12-minute podcast .

 

Previous podcasts

Podcast 1: Tian Chua, Batu MP

Podcast 2: S Ambiga, Bersih coordinator

Podcast 3: Kee Thuan Chye, author and playwright

Podcast 4: Teresa Kok, Selangor senior exco

Podcast 5: Wan Saiful Wan Jan, CEO of Ideas

Podcast 6: Lim Guan Eng, Penang CM

Podcast 7: Maria Chin, Empower chief    

Podcast 8: Liew Chin Tong, Bukit Bendera MP

Podcast 9: Bersih Atlanta trio prepares for rally

Podcast 10: War correspondent Zan Azlee on Bersih 3.0

Podcast 11: Nurul Izzah, Lembah Pantai MP

Podcast 12: Edmund Bon, LoyarBurok