DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng has appointed Zairil Khir Johari as his political secretary with immediate effect.
Zairil, 28, is the son of Umno stalwart and former education minister Tan Sri Mohd Khir Johari, who has served under three prime ministers including the late Tunku Abdul Rahman.
Lim, who made the announcement today at the party's headquarters here, said Zairil will assist him with political matters at party and national level and will be based at the DAP secretariat in Kuala Lumpur.
"He is an entrepreneur, idealist and reformist. I am confident that with his ability and experience in various fields, he will be a positive asset to our party and will contribute greatly to our struggle to realise a prosperous, equitable and just Malaysia for all Malaysians," said Lim who is also the Penang chief minister.
Zairil, who has a masters in International Studies and Diplomacy from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, runs his own chocolate business.
He joined the party six months ago.
Asked if Zairil appointment was to garner more Malay support for the party, Lim said the party wants to employ capable and competent people.
"I look at his qualities first. Competency is race blind, not race specific. It is just a coincidence that he is Malay. We must choose the best and if we do so, then we can be on top of the rest.
"That means one can cut across race and religion because everyone expects excellence and performance," said Lim.
Zairil, the first Malay to be appointed as a political secretary for the DAP's secretary-general office, said he will assist his "new boss" with whatever help needed.
He said he joined DAP because he wanted to be on the side of "what I feel is right".
"When I first wanted to get involved in politics, I spoke to many people. I made up my mind that I want to be with what I feel is right, which is PR," said Zairil.
