Asked if he thought these were quite a load, Zairil said: “You can say that again”.
He told FMT: “It is a big challenge but I am looking forward to it. As you can see, these three are quite heavy, in terms of the scope.
“Public works, that alone is already very big. On top of that, utilities and flood mitigation. These are all infrastructure-related. Of course, that is a new field for me. I am looking forward to learning and to do my best.”
Zairil said his immediate focus would be the proposed undersea tunnel and three main roads project, as well as flood mitigation, which were highlights of the Pakatan Harapan election manifesto.
He hoped that better cooperation and support of the federal government would allow the state government better options for flood mitigation.
“Nowadays there are a lot of new technologies out there. We can learn from other countries. The problem all this while has been funding. If the funding doesn’t come, you cannot really do anything.
He said he will be working closely with chief minister Chow Kon Yeow, who previously handled flood mitigation, and former executive councillor Lim Hock Seng, who had handled works and utilities.
Zairil said he would also rely on his past five years as a member of Parliament (as MP for Bukit Bendera) in his new position.
“Having been in the public service for five years you really learn how to deal with government departments and agencies,” he said. His contacts with federal departments and ministries would definitely help.
Zairil was elected assemblyman for Tanjung Bunga at the general election last week. He and nine other Pakatan Harapan assemblymen were sworn in as state executive councillors today before Penang Governor Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas.
Seven executive councillors are from DAP, and three from PKR.
Penang exco man breaks down costs for undersea tunnel, roads