My late father is my inspiration - Khaidhirah, Zulkiflee

By Mohamad Harith Mohamad Nizar

MELAKA,  Nov 13 -- Watching their father’s dedication and commitment in looking after the welfare of the community has inspired the children of two former chief ministers of Melaka to also enter politics.

They are Datuk Khaidhirah Abu Zahar, the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Rim state seat, who is the daughter of the 8th Melaka Chief Minister, the late Datuk Seri Abu Zahar Ithnin, and the BN candidate for the Taboh Naning seat, Zulkiflee Mohd Zin, whose father, Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Abdul Ghani, was the 7th Chief Minister of Melaka.

For Khaidhirah, she grew up watching her father working for the people and that inspired her to be active in  politics.

 Khaidhirah, who is more affectionately known as 'Dira', said she felt that her father's service and struggle for the society were a responsibility that should be continued.

 "I want to continue with that responsibility of serving the people and I left the entertainment world to enter politics to do that,” she said when met by Bernama here.

Despite being a daughter of a  former Chief Minister, Khaidirah said it was not a ticket for her to win votes.

“I have to proof myself, to serve the people as well as my father, if not better.,” she said.

Abu Zahar died at his residence in Merlimau, Jasin, due to complications of diabetes and kidney, on July 12 July, 2013.

Khaidhirah will be in a three -cornered fight for the Rim seat with B. Prasanth Kumar ,representing Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Azalina Abdul Rahman of Perikatan Nasional (PN).

Meanwhile, Zulkiflee said looking at how his father fulfilled his responsibility as an elected representative made him want to follow his footstep.

“I want to follow his way, how he dealt with the constituents. There was no protocol. When people came to see him with problems, he would try to solve them. My late father and his constituents in Melekek (now known as Taboh Naning) were close.

“ Insya-Allah , I think I can understand what the people in Taboh Naning want,” said Zulkiflee who will be in a three-cornered fight with Abu Hashim Abdul Samad (PN) and  Zairi Suboh (PH) for the seat.

The Election Commission has set Nov 20 as polling day for the Melaka state election, with early voting on Nov 16.

The election is called following the dissolution of the state assembly on Oct 4 after four state assemblymen withdrew support for the Chief Minister.

-- BERNAMA