Syerleena's journey: From kickboxing and water sports coach to reformist MP By Fion Yap

Malaysiakini : INTERVIEW | Under the blue skies on the coast of Penang Island, a young university graduate took an unusual path, teaching water sports enthusiasts windsurfing and wakeboarding.

The visual communication graduate from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) then went on to work as a kickboxing coach and fitness instructor, while also being active in the independent music scene. She even performed in the UK at 27 when she was in a band with her brother Riz.

More than a decade later, this outgoing woman, Syerleena Abdul Rashid, is the newly elected Bukit Bendera MP. Syerleena joined DAP in 2013 and quickly became a rising star of the party.   She was appointed a local councillor after joining the party, before running in the 2018 general election and winning the state seat of Seri Delima.

Last year, the 43-year-old achieved even greater success - she was given a chance to contest a parliamentary seat and won with a huge majority of 42,610 votes.

Born into Reformasi household

In a recent interview with Malaysiakini, Syerleena shared her experiences of transitioning from sports, music and arts to full-time politics.

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