GEORGE TOWN – The Pakatan Harapan candidate for the Tg Bungah seat has said he aims to make the constituency one of the best places to live in Penang if he is re-elected for a second term.
Zairil Khir Johari, who is defending his seat in the state election, said he is driven to make the locality one of the best places to enjoy quality living in Penang, while also taking into account the need to curb runaway inflation rates.
Already regarded as one of the most affluent neighbourhoods in Penang, Zairil said, Tg Bungah is expected to enjoy more attention than ever with the proposed LRT alignment link.
Zairil also told The Vibes that there is an application by an investor to set up a private hospital in the vicinity to meet resident and expatriate demand.
But even with modern amenities and a need for development to offset congestion, Zairil said, the area’s tranquillity and top social amenities from parks to food haunts and cottage industries would be doubly protected and preserved.
“Tg Bungah will never lose its identity as far as I am concerned. It is the collection of the best residents that one can find in Penang.”
Zairil, who is also the state DAP vice-chairman and a former state executive councillor, said that he will hone his experience in administration to ensure that Tg Bungah retains its old charm and ways for generations to come.
For one, it will be a place where families can raise their children peacefully, with international schools here that offer basic international-level education, and recreational parks and hiking trails for residents and tourists.
Zairil said that if given a second term, he wants to have more social amenities installed and create more activities for Tg Bungah’s many senior citizens.
The 40-year-old is offering free classes for craftsmanship and to teach the elderly how to use the internet, which is evolving faster than ever.
“Such soft skills can help them cope with old age better as it keeps them occupied and they can make new friends along the way,” said Zairil.
He also wants to generate higher awareness about how to cope with climate change.
As for ties with the many members of civil society who reside here, Zairil said that he has an “open-door” policy on engaging them.
Even if they have differing opinions about Penang’s development policies, he said, he wants to maintain close ties with them for the sake of developing Penang together.
“We can complement each other. Their views will always be given consideration, but at times in terms of the majority’s needs, there are times we need to side with development.”
There will be times that the state will side with non-governmental organisations, especially within the scope of conservation and preservation, he stressed.
There are more than 29,000 voters in the constituency, the majority of which are Chinese followed by Malays and Indians.
Zairil said he looks to sustain the originality of Tg Bungah, a belt of people with diverse backgrounds, and to capitalise on their diversity and strengths to build a “Madani” community from within. – The Vibes, August 5, 2023.
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