Kerk Chee Yee

Summary

Kerk Chee Yee (born 9 July 1992) is the DAP Member of the Malacca State Legislative Assembly for Ayer Keroh, a seat he has held since 2018, and has served as Deputy Speaker of the Melaka State Legislative Assembly since July 2023. The son of the late DAP Secretary-General Kerk Kim Hock, he graduated from the University of Melbourne and worked as an investment banker before entering politics under DAP in 2017. He has consistently won his state seat across two electoral cycles and serves concurrently as Melaka DAP Publicity Secretary.

Biography

Kerk Chee Yee (Chinese: 郭子毅; born 9 July 1992) is a Malaysian politician serving as Deputy Speaker of the Malacca State Legislative Assembly since July 2023 and Member of the Malacca State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Ayer Keroh since May 2018 [1]. He is the son of the late Kerk Kim Hock, a former DAP Secretary-General and Kota Melaka MP [1]. Kerk holds a degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Melbourne, Australia, and worked as an investment banker before entering politics [2]. He became active in DAP in 2017 as a full-time researcher and was subsequently appointed political secretary to then-DAP adviser Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang [3]. In the 2018 general election (GE14), Kerk was elected MLA for Ayer Keroh at age 25, becoming Melaka's youngest state executive councillor (EXCO), chairing the Communications, Multimedia, NGO, Youth and Sports Committee under then-Chief Minister Adly Zahari [1]. He held the EXCO post until March 2020 when the Pakatan Harapan state administration collapsed [1]. He successfully defended the Ayer Keroh seat in the 2021 Melaka state election with a majority of 5,624 votes [4]. In July 2023, Kerk was elected Deputy Speaker of the Melaka State Legislative Assembly, with the nomination proposed by Chief Minister Ab Rauf Yusoh and supported by 24 assemblymen [3]. He also serves as Melaka DAP Publicity Secretary [4].

Known for

Kerk Chee Yee is identified as the youngest MLA elected in Melaka in the 2018 general election and the youngest person to serve on the Melaka State EXCO at that time [1]. He is known as a second-generation DAP politician, being the son of the late Kerk Kim Hock, former DAP Secretary-General [1]. Since 2023, he has held the post of Deputy Speaker of the Melaka State Legislative Assembly while continuing to serve as Melaka DAP Publicity Secretary [3].

Political positions

On housing, Kerk has called for a 'release mechanism' for bumiputera-quota housing units valued above RM300,000 to ensure Melaka's housing development keeps pace with economic growth [2]. He has also advocated for greater local council scrutiny in approving housing projects to prevent a glut of unsold units and pushed for more affordable housing options [5]. On civil liberties and religious freedoms, Kerk questioned the Melaka government over a reported ban on halal-certified eateries and hotels displaying Christmas decorations, urging the state government to retract any such directive and upholding Melaka's reputation as an inclusive tourism destination [5]. He has also called on the Melaka government to explain a ban on alcohol sales at a country club without public justification [4]. On inter-coalition relations, as Deputy Speaker he has affirmed the Melaka unity coalition's commitment to resolving issues within the existing BN-PH cooperation framework [4]. In public discourse, Kerk has challenged rhetoric he described as racially and religiously divisive, urging inclusive leadership; he has also stated that the Melaka DAP state chapter should not collaborate with politicians who do not intend to build a harmonious and inclusive community [5].

Education

1. 2014Graduated with a degree in Finance and Accounting from the University of Melbourne, Australia.⛓

Before politics

1. 2014–2017Worked as an investment banker following graduation before leaving to join DAP as a full-time researcher in 2017.⛓

Political career

1. 2017Became active in DAP as a full-time researcher; subsequently appointed political secretary to then-DAP adviser Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang.⛓
2. May 2018Elected Member of the Malacca State Legislative Assembly for Ayer Keroh (N16) in GE14, winning with a majority of 9,261 votes in a three-cornered contest, and became Melaka's youngest state EXCO member at age 25.⛓
3. May 2018 – March 2020Served as Melaka State EXCO member, chairing the Communications, Multimedia, NGO, Youth and Sports Committee under Chief Minister Adly Zahari, until the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan state administration.⛓
4. November 2021Successfully defended the Ayer Keroh seat in the 15th Melaka state election, winning with a majority of 5,624 votes against BN's Yong Fun Juan and PN's Michael Gan.⛓
5. July 2023Elected Deputy Speaker of the Melaka State Legislative Assembly, with the nomination proposed by Chief Minister Ab Rauf Yusoh and supported by 24 of 28 assemblymen present.⛓

Election history

• 2021Ayer Keroh (N16), MelakaWon36.5%⛓
• 2018Ayer Keroh (N16), MelakaWon⛓

Perspectives on key issues

• GovernmentMelaka Chief Minister Ab Rauf Yusoh, in proposing Kerk's appointment as Deputy Speaker in July 2023, said that Kerk possessed wide experience in administration and politics, citing his educational background, EXCO service, and role as political secretary to Lim Kit Siang.⛓
• OppositionAccording to Free Malaysia Today, Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh stated in May 2025 that he had 'issues with leaders like (Kerk) who are narrow-minded and keep on threatening the racial harmony that we share', in response to Kerk's public challenge for Akmal to adopt more inclusive leadership.⛓
• VerifiedFactsKerk has won the Ayer Keroh state seat in both the 2018 general election (majority: 9,261 votes) and the 2021 Melaka state election (majority: 5,624 votes; vote share: 36.5%), and has served as Deputy Speaker of the Melaka State Legislative Assembly since July 2023.⛓