LAST Sunday, just a day after his nomination, former Bukit Bendera MP Zairil Khir Johari quickly learned that running for election as an assemblyman is a different ball game.

On the second day of his campaign, the Pakatan Harapan candidate for Tanjung Bungah was criticised by a group of angry residents in Batu Ferringhi who did not want the local authorities to allow a high-density condominium to be built right behind their own condominium.

Zairil, who attended a dialogue organised by the residents, could not say what the people wanted to hear – that he would just stop the project.

The soft-spoken DAP politician admitted to having a hard time that day when he was booed by some residents.

“I understand why they may be upset about the proposed development. As I said that day, in light of their report, the state should reevaluate the project and get other technical experts to verify the claims made.

“As far as the state is concerned, the guidelines were met (in the particular project). But wherever valid, the people’s objections should be taken into account,” he said, adding that the state government, which had been under PH for the last 10 years, was always open to public feedback and engagement.

In his switch to Tanjung Bungah, a state seat in Bukit Bendera, Zairil’s focus has had to change from big national issues to local grouses.

There are quite a few such grouses in the middle-class and affluent constituency, like traffic congestion, especially during holidays and long weekends, and perceived overdevelopment.

He said the state had planned to build a paired road parallel to the only route heading to Batu Ferringhi.

“Now, development is tricky because it is subjective. I believe development is progress, but it has to be done sustainably, according to proper guidelines.”

Development issues in Tanjung Bungah have given rivals Barisan Nasional ammunition to blast the caretaker Penang government and raise questions on how effective Zairil will be in representing the locals’ interests if elected as a government assemblyman.

Zairil is contesting the seat against Penang BN chairman Teng Chang Yeow, a former state exco in the previous Gerakan-led administration.

Teng’s candidacy itself indicates BN’s high hopes of winning Tanjung Bungah and sending a Gerakan representative back into the state legislative assembly.

Candidates from Parti Rakyat Malaysia and Malaysian United Party are also eyeing the seat.

Although he had met some angry voters at the start of his campaign, Zairil said his campaign had been good, and the people’s sentiment had been positive.

“People recognise me, so I don’t have to introduce myself when I go for walkabouts.

“A few even thanked me for helping them before,” he said, recalling a woman giving him a hug for helping her after her house was damaged in a storm.

“People know what I have done in the last five years. So that helps a lot.” – May 4, 2018.