The Malaysian Insight

THE late Kerk Kim Hock tried his best to discourage his only son from quitting banking to follow his path in politics, painting a picture of hardship and tribulation.

But the call to serve was too strong for Kerk Chee Yee to ignore.

“My father did not encourage me to join politics in the beginning,” Chee Yee told The Malaysian Insight, recently.

“But he was not a dictatorial person, so he described the circumstances, the pros and cons with me, so that I understood what he was thinking,” he said.

“He asked me to think carefully as I (as a member of the opposition) would risk being arrested, charged and even convicted in Malaysia.

“In comparison, my life path would be much smoother if I chose to stay in the banking industry,” said the Melbourne University graduate.

Kim Hock, who was an MP and a Malacca assemblyman, died of cancer in August last year. He had been among those detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in Operasi Lalang in 1987.

Chee Yee said his father relented in the end and gave him his blessings to join politics full-time, instead of just helping out after work at DAP headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Today, Chee Yee is political secretary to DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang and while he has found opposition politics to be as cut-throat as warned, he has found greater work satisfaction.

“From the first week in, I knew I would give it my all. I discovered there was a lot that I could do, from writing proposals, organising forums, to writing scripts to encouraging the people to vote,” said Chee Yee.

“As the party lacks people with a background in economics and finance, I’m glad that I’m able to contribute.”

He said he and his father had often discussed the state of Malaysian politics, which had likely instilled in him a passion for bringing change to the country.

“I believe the upcoming elections is a rare opportunity (for change). Our country is at a historic crossroads; I would not miss this opportunity to give back to country and society,” said Chee Yee.

He concedes the experience may not be for the fainthearted.

“It’s a tough road ahead if you join the opposition; you’ll have to sacrifice many things.

“You’ll also be severely beaten down, are you ready for that?” – February 26, 2018.