Challenging the status quo

It hasn’t been easy for the Seri Delima assemblywoman who has had to face alleged death threats along with the rough-and-tumble world of everyday politics, but she remains resolutely committed to her vision of a more inclusive Malaysia. Today we bring you Faces of the New Malaysia...Syerleena Abdul Rashid. 

A MALAY in the DAP is rare.

A Malay woman DAP state legislator is a veritable unicorn – until GE14 that is.

The historic election saw three Malay assemblywomen elected under the party’s banner.

When asked about her journey to her 13,211-vote victory in Penang’s Seri Delima constituency, Syerleena Abdul Rashid chuckles: “It’s been colourful”

Sporty: The former ‘rocker’ believes we should teach children to balance academic and sports.

Despite facing a tough, three-cornered fight and subject to distasteful comments, Syerleena remains firmly focused on the bigger picture. When asked how she deals with the pressure, she replies,

“As a woman you have to deal with certain groups that feel insecure about having a woman lead. That happened (to me) even as a councillor, but you can’t let the negativity get to you. You focus on what you need to do.”

Perhaps, politics was inevitable for her. Her parents, both teachers and active members of Aliran – Malaysia’s premier human rights NGO – always encouraged her to question everything and everyone.

She hasn’t lost this even at 38. Syerleena is already asking about issues close to her heart – issues that don’t often get the attention they deserve in Malaysia: Why aren’t there more platforms for local sporting and creative talents to succeed?

 

Veritable unicorn: A Malay woman DAP state legislator like Syerleena is rare – until GE14 that is.  

How do we teach our children to balance academics and sports?

Syerleena again credits her parents for her appreciation for sports and the arts. Her mother, who taught physical education at the Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang was particularly influential in this regard.

“When kids can use that other half of their brains, the one we use for arts and sports, I believe that the end result will be a different, more balanced society,” she says.

Creative expression has played a vital role in shaping Syerleena’s own life. After graduating with a degree in graphic communications in 2007, she formed a rock band with her brother and toured the UK as its lead guitarist.

 

Close to the grassroots: The human rights advocate spent many years working with various NGOs, distributing necessities to constituents.  

This was just another milestone in a long career of defying stereotypes and challenging the status quo.

Upon returning to Malaysia, she spent time working with various NGOs. While aiding the most vulnerable, Syerleena found her friends and colleagues frustrated and angry with the government of the day.

The DAP beckoned in 2013, and in 2015, she was appointed to the Penang Island City Council.

In 2018, she made history as the DAP’s first state assemblywoman for Seri Delima.

 

Idealistic: A more inclusive Malaysia is what the new assemblywoman dreams of.  

Still, it hasn’t been easy, having to face alleged death threats along with the rough-and-tumble world of everyday politics.

Nevertheless, Syerleena still hopes for a more inclusive Malaysia.

“We still have a lot to do, you can’t change things overnight but let us make the next five years the blueprint of what we want. If we keep this momentum going, we keep this enthusiasm, spirit and focus, inshallah, we will succeed.” – By KRA Group

• The KRA Group is a public affairs consultancy with a South-East Asia-wide focus.

Undeterred: Despite receiving threats of violence, Syerleena is resolved to work towards her vision of the New Malaysia. 

-Star