Podcast: Zairil Khir explains why he chose DAP

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.

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.

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.