He comes from one of the most well-known families in Malaysian politics but Lim Si Pin is determined to stand on his own, writes CHOW KUM HOR. HE typifies the "rising star" in Malaysian politics, works as a finance manager in a securities firm, loves his Subaru Impreza to a fault, but lives with his parents as he can’t cope with the high cost of living in Kuala Lumpur.

His father is Gerakan president and minister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik and they live in a neighbourhood where luxury cars dot the driveways.

For Si Pin, the party’s deputy Youth head, saving on rentals or mortgages and living in an extended family with mum and dad is one way to keep his cheque book balanced every month.

Not that Si Pin can’t earn a decent living: He holds double degrees in economics and law from Yale University.

A few years ago, he took up his present job at lower pay in exchange for a more flexible working schedule.

In between helping companies get listed or arranging for rights issues, Si Pin can pursue his other passion: Politics.

"Luckily, my bosses understand I have political functions to attend and party members to meet," says Si Pin, 37.

Unlike some children of leaders from other parties, Si Pin has been involved in politics for a decade.

The past seven years have seen him active in programmes such as helping flood victims, as well as promoting his pet project, Anak Malaysia.

But, like other scions of household names in Malay- sian politics, Si Pin’s rise in Gerakan has also been ridi- culed if only because of his blood ties with Keng Yaik, the Energy, Water and Communications Minister.

Si Pin’s election as the Youth No 2 in last year’s brutally- fought party polls saw his and his father’s enemies harping on the issue of nepotism.

But by now, Si Pin is already used to such charges. "His (Keng Yaik’s) blood runs in me. I now concentrate on doing my work, especially the Anak Malaysia project." The project aims to create awareness about Gerakan’s philosophy of fostering a Bangsa Malaysia.

But for a youngster as candid as his father, it did not take long before Si Pin received his baptism of fire in politics.

Last March, he blasted the Government for raising fuel prices by 30 sen, a move he said would badly affect low- wage earners.

Before he knew it, he started receiving calls from "other parties" reminding him to toe the line.

But Si Pin is not disturbed by the fierce reaction from comrades in the establishment.

His fame has caught the attention of party members even if they are only interested because he is Keng Yaik’s son.

Si Pin says that beyond the media focus, he is just an average guy. He almost failed his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, and obtained only one A.

When his straight-talking father threatened to "chop off my head" if Si Pin did not return from overseas with a degree, he decided it was time to work on his grades.

A friend, who has known Si Pin since Standard One and also studied in Britain with him, says Si Pin has always sought knowledge, particularly in psychology.

"I remember he would drag me to Belfast where he would talk to the medical students about psychology," says Niall Toh, who is a director of a security audit firm.

In fact, Toh and Si Pin registered their marriages on the same day in 1998 and they acted as each other’s witness.

What about his future in politics? Si Pin says he doesn’t want to think too much about it now.

"I don’t want to plan and hope I will become this and become that. But one day, I want to break away from my father’s shadow."