JERLUN, a padi-growing coastal region of Kedah, was unheard of until Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, the 43-year old son of former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, was named as the Barisan Nasional candidate there.

Since Nomination Day on Feb 24, Jerlun has drawn political workers and observers from all over the country, underlining the country's interest and excitement in seeing another Mahathir among their leaders.

my paper followed the soft-spoken senior Umno Youth official on his campaign trail yesterday, and found a man driven by a passion to serve.

You almost did not get in as an election candidate. What actually happened?

I was never sure I would get in - for a federal or a state seat - at any time. There was only talk that I would be fielded as a candidate; there was no confirmation until the end.

Is Jerlun a safe seat?

No, I don't think I can say it is safe seat. Back in 2004, there were 44,148 voters and the BN candidate won by a 2,142-vote majority. And this was when we won big around the country. This time, the challenge is keener.

What are the voters here like? What are the issues? Have they warmed up to you?

The voters are very rural. They are what you call grassroots voters. Due to that, the issues in this constituency are rural-based issues. Like most everyone else, they are seeking economic development to improve their livelihood. I've been here only for a short while but I feel that they have warmed up to me. I have been meeting a lot of people.

You didn't expect your dad to turn up and campaign for you. Aren't you glad he's on your side?

It was a nice surprise to have him here. I wouldn't say he was campaigning for me but his mere presence has left some impact on the voters here. Especially in areas where he was once the Member of Parliament.

Dr M had said his children wouldn't be allowed to run in any election as long as he's PM. Do you think you could have made MP earlier if your dad wasn't so righteous?

My father holds strongly to principles. He did not want any of us to put him in a position of conflict. He didn't want us to be in the way of decisions he has to make. I understand totally. However, I was able to be close to the political machinery and to be able to play a direct part in it, at least. That experience is valuable for me now. Having said that, I still feel somewhat unprepared to face the general election.

How was it like, growing up with Dr M as your father?

It cuts both ways. People assumed you were privileged and that it was all fun. But at same time people had very high expectations. For example, due to his style of leadership, where he expects transparency and professionalism from among the civil service, people sometimes go overboard in expecting us to adhere to everything.

Are you anything like your father?

I aspire to be, at least. I know what he has done is not easy. I aspire to be like him, to have the strength and determination to do the right thing. If you ask me if I'm anything like him physically, no, not at the top, especially.

Do you consult him on your campaign strategies?

Not at all.

If you get voted into Parliament, what will you be fighting for?

We really need to look at where Malaysia stands in this era of globalisation, in which competition is getting stiffer. Today we have new sets of problems which require new sets of answers, and then we would need to tie them up to the kind of education we need, which direction the economy is going, how we plan to use our limited resources to be competitive, and find our niche. I don't presume to have the answers but knowing the problems would be a start. On the international front, as Peace Malaysia Coordinator, I am proud to say that we're respected for being vocal despite being a small country. Far too many things that are not right are happening in the world and not enough people are speaking up. Malaysia needs to continue being the voice of reason.

How do you plan to serve the people of Jerlun?

I am going to sit down and discuss this with the state's representatives after the General Election. Jerlun is a very agriculture-based consituency. There is a lot of potential for downstream agro industry. There is also much potential for tourism.

Many people I've talked to think you will go far, very far, in Malaysian politics. As Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak's running mate one day, perhaps. Where do you see yourself going?

At this moment, I am prepared to serve as an MP. That's the role I want to play for now - an MP for Jerlun. Ask me the question several more years down the road. After I've had the experience of serving the people.