Azmin Ali
Mohamed Azmin bin Ali (born 25 August 1964) is a Malaysian politician known for his roles in state and federal governance, including as the 14th Menteri Besar of Selangor from 2014 to 2018.[1][2] Born in Singapore during its brief federation with Malaysia, Azmin pursued higher education abroad, earning a master's degree in education and economics from the University of Minnesota before entering politics in the late 1980s as an aide to Anwar Ibrahim.[1][3] His electoral debut came in 1999 as the assemblyman for Hulu Kelang, followed by election to federal parliament representing Gombak from 2008 to 2022.[4] As Selangor Menteri Besar, Azmin oversaw policies such as recognition of the United Examination Certificate (UEC) for Chinese independent schools and efforts to resolve longstanding land and occupational disputes for residents.[5][6] He later shifted allegiances from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), serving in the Perikatan Nasional government as Minister of International Trade and Industry and Senior Minister in the Prime Minister's Department under Muhyiddin Yassin and Ismail Sabri Yaakob.[7][8] Currently, he leads the opposition in the Selangor State Assembly and remains a senior figure in Bersatu amid ongoing party challenges.[9][10] Azmin's career trajectory reflects adaptability in Malaysia's fluid political landscape, marked by transitions between reformist coalitions and Malay-centric alliances.[2]
Early life and education
Family background and upbringing
Mohamed Azmin Ali was born on 25 August 1964 in Singapore, then a constituent state of Malaysia, to Haji Ali Omar and Hajjah Che Tom Yahaya.[1][11] His father worked as a clerk in the British Army prior to Malaysia's independence and later served in the Malaysian Army, while his mother managed the household.[12] Azmin was the fourth of six siblings, including actor Azwan Ali.[13] Following Singapore's secession from Malaysia in 1965, the family relocated to Kuala Lumpur shortly thereafter, settling in the Jalan Cheras area, where Azmin spent his formative years in a modest working-class environment shaped by his father's military service.[14][4] His mother passed away on 18 February 2017 at the age of 82 following a stroke.[15][16]Academic and early professional experiences
Azmin Ali attended Gurney Road Primary School in Kuala Lumpur for his early education, followed by secondary schooling at Setapak High School and vocational training at Jalan Cheras Technical Institute.[11] In the mid-1980s, he pursued higher education in the United States at the University of Minnesota, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Mathematics in 1986, followed by a Master of Education degree in 1987.[1] [13] While completing his master's degree, Ali worked as a mathematics teacher, leveraging his academic background in education.[17] Upon returning to Malaysia shortly thereafter, he was recruited into public service and appointed as a personal aide to Anwar Ibrahim, who was then serving as Minister of Education; this role evolved as Anwar advanced to Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister, providing Ali with administrative experience in governmental operations.[18]Entry into politics
Initial involvement with ABIM and PKR
Azmin Ali's entry into politics was shaped by his affiliation with Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM), an Islamist youth organization founded in 1971, where he followed Anwar Ibrahim, its former president until 1982. This involvement connected him to Malaysia's dawah movement emphasizing Islamic revivalism and social justice, though specific roles or dates of Azmin's ABIM activities prior to 1987 remain undocumented in primary accounts. Returning to Malaysia in 1987 after earning a Master of Education from the University of Minnesota, Azmin began his formal political career as a special officer to Anwar Ibrahim, then Minister of Education, on the recommendation of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.[11] [13] He advanced to become Anwar's private secretary by 1993, when Anwar served as Deputy Prime Minister, assisting in policy matters and maintaining loyalty amid UMNO's internal dynamics.[3] Azmin's alignment with Anwar intensified during the 1998 Reformasi protests following Anwar's dismissal amid sodomy and corruption charges. Detained under the Internal Security Act on September 15, 1998, for suspected anti-government agitation, Azmin was released after several weeks without formal charges.[19] In April 1999, Azmin co-founded and joined Parti Keadilan Nasional (later reformed as Parti Keadilan Rakyat, or PKR), positioning himself as a key Reformasi figure advocating constitutional reforms and anti-corruption.[4] He secured the Hulu Kelang state assembly seat for PKR in the November 1999 general elections, defeating the Barisan Nasional incumbent with 52.4% of the vote, thus establishing his opposition credentials.[4]Rise within opposition ranks
Following the formation of Parti Keadilan Nasional (KeADILan) on 4 April 1999 amid the Reformasi movement sparked by Anwar Ibrahim's dismissal, Azmin Ali emerged as a foundational figure in the party, leveraging his prior role as Anwar's aide to mobilize support against the Barisan Nasional government.[20] His organizational skills and loyalty positioned him as a key strategist in building the party's grassroots network, particularly among Malay voters disillusioned with UMNO.[14] In the 1999 general election, Azmin contested the Hulu Kelang state assembly seat, securing victory with a 1,146-vote majority against the incumbent Barisan Nasional candidate, which helped KeADILan gain five state seats nationwide despite the party's overall limited success.[14] This win established him as one of the opposition's early electoral assets, though he lost the seat in the 2004 election amid a Barisan Nasional resurgence. Undeterred, Azmin contributed to the 2003 merger of KeADILan with Parti Rakyat Malaysia to form Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), enhancing the party's multiracial appeal and infrastructure for future coalitions.[4] Azmin's persistence paid off in the 2008 general election, where PKR, as part of the nascent Pakatan Rakyat alliance with DAP and PAS, achieved breakthrough gains by denying Barisan Nasional a two-thirds parliamentary majority. He captured the Gombak federal parliamentary seat with a 6,867-vote majority and the Bukit Antarabangsa state seat in Selangor with 1,381 votes, roles that amplified his influence in opposition coordination and policy critiques.[14] These victories underscored his rising stature, as he became a vocal advocate for economic reforms and anti-corruption measures within the opposition's platform. By 2010, Azmin's track record led to his election as one of PKR's vice-presidents for the 2010–2013 term, a position he retained through the 2014 party polls, signaling his ascent to senior leadership amid internal debates over succession and strategy.[14] This role involved overseeing party operations and bridging factional divides, further solidifying his reputation as a pragmatic operator in the opposition's push to challenge Barisan Nasional's dominance.[3]Legislative and executive roles
State assemblyman and federal parliamentarian
Mohamed Azmin Ali entered elective office as the state assemblyman for Hulu Kelang in the Selangor State Legislative Assembly following his victory in the 1999 state election under the Barisan Alternatif coalition. He served in this capacity until the end of the term in 2004, focusing on opposition critiques of the ruling Barisan Nasional government.[21] In the 2004 general election, Azmin was elected to the Dewan Rakyat as the Member of Parliament for Gombak, securing the seat with a majority over the Barisan Nasional candidate. He retained the Gombak parliamentary seat in subsequent elections in 2008, 2013, and 2018, representing it until his defeat in the 2022 general election by Amirudin Shari of Pakatan Harapan, who garnered a majority of over 28,000 votes. During his federal parliamentary tenure, Azmin served on various parliamentary committees and advocated for economic reforms and opposition policies.[22][23] Azmin returned to the Selangor State Legislative Assembly in the 2013 general election, winning the Bukit Antarabangsa constituency with a substantial majority as a People's Justice Party (PKR) candidate. He defended the seat successfully in the 2018 state election against challengers including his brother Azwan Ali, but vacated it shortly thereafter to take up a federal ministerial role, adhering to constitutional prohibitions on simultaneous membership in both federal and state legislatures.[24]Tenure as Menteri Besar of Selangor
Mohamed Azmin Ali was sworn in as the 15th Menteri Besar of Selangor on 23 September 2014, replacing Khalid Ibrahim following the latter's resignation amid internal conflicts within the Pakatan Rakyat coalition.[25] [26] The Democratic Action Party (DAP), a key coalition partner, endorsed Azmin's appointment, instructing its assemblypersons to support him.[27] Upon assuming office, Azmin committed to principles of good governance and transparency, vowing to review contentious agreements inherited from the prior administration, including the state water deal and the Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex) project, as well as addressing seizures of Malay- and Iban-language books.[28] He emphasized resolving stalled initiatives, such as expediting the Kidex project after delays under his predecessor.[29] Azmin's administration pursued economic consolidation by merging multiple state-owned property entities, aiming to release billions of ringgit in value for development.[30] Educational priorities included strengthening Universiti Selangor (UNISEL) and establishing a higher education foundation to enhance tertiary opportunities.[30] Environmental policies featured a 2017 ban on free plastic bags and polystyrene food containers to curb pollution.[31] The tenure faced political strains, including coalition tensions and criticisms over state performance in 2017, amid broader Pakatan Rakyat instability.[32] Allegations of irregularities in land projects, such as disputes involving settler evictions and fraudulent joint ventures, emerged, leading to court cases affecting hundreds of residents, though Azmin's direct involvement remained contested.[33] [34] Selangor's civil service efficiency under Azmin was credited by state leaders as a factor in Pakatan Harapan's retention of the state in the 9 May 2018 general election.[35] Azmin was re-sworn on 11 May 2018 but stepped down on 19 June 2018 to take up the federal Minister of Economic Affairs portfolio, with Amirudin Shafiq succeeding him.[36] [37]Service as Minister of Economic Affairs
Azmin Ali was appointed Minister of Economic Affairs on May 21, 2018, as part of the Pakatan Harapan cabinet under Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad following the coalition's victory in the 14th general election.[36][37] He concurrently held the position of Selangor Menteri Besar until June 19, 2018, when Amirudin Shari was sworn in as his successor, allowing Azmin to focus fully on the federal role.[36] During his tenure, Azmin prioritized economic restructuring to address income and wealth disparities, particularly inter-ethnic gaps. In September 2018, he announced a review of major national policies to promote sustainable development and distributive justice.[38] A key initiative was the establishment of a National Economic Council in February 2019, intended to drive action-oriented strategies for long-term administration goals, as endorsed by Mahathir.[39] The council aimed to enhance policy implementation beyond cabinet deliberations. The cornerstone of his portfolio was the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 (SPV 2030), unveiled in 2019 as a 10-year roadmap replacing the New Economic Policy framework and Vision 2020. SPV 2030 targeted reducing absolute poverty to zero, creating high-value jobs, and narrowing inter-ethnic income disparities to within 10% by 2030 through inclusive growth and reduced urban-rural gaps.[40][41][42] Azmin described it as the ministry's pinnacle achievement, aligning the 2020 Budget with its principles for economic restructuring and sustainable development.[41][43] He advocated reviewing the New Economic Policy to base affirmative measures on need rather than race alone.[44] Critics, including opposition figures, argued that early Pakatan Harapan policies under Azmin leaned populist, drawing from the election manifesto without sufficient fiscal safeguards amid global uncertainties.[45] Intra-coalition tensions surfaced, with PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim in September 2019 calling for a review of "failed" past economic policies in light of a UN poverty report highlighting persistent absolute poverty rates around 5.6%.[46] Some analysts contended SPV 2030 required refinement to balance disparity reduction with growth incentives, given Malaysia's unrealized potential in high-income status.[47][48] Azmin's tenure ended abruptly on February 24, 2020, when Mahathir resigned amid a political crisis, dissolving the cabinet; Azmin had aligned with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia leaders in maneuvers that contributed to the government's fall.[49] He was subsequently appointed Senior Minister in the economic cluster under the new Perikatan Nasional administration.[50]Political realignments and crises
Shift from Pakatan Harapan to Perikatan Nasional
On 23 February 2020, PKR sacked Azmin Ali, its deputy president, along with vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin amid escalating internal factional disputes over leadership succession and alleged sabotage against party president Anwar Ibrahim.[51] The following day, 24 February 2020, Azmin and 10 aligned PKR MPs announced their resignation from the party, declaring themselves independents and forming a bloc that pledged support to then-prime minister Mahathir Mohamad while withdrawing confidence from PH leader Anwar.[52][53] This move deprived PH of its Dewan Rakyat majority, triggering Mahathir's resignation on 24 February and enabling Muhyiddin Yassin's appointment as prime minister on 1 March 2020 after securing backing from the king's assessment of parliamentary support.[54] Azmin's faction cited irreconcilable differences with PKR leadership, particularly over unfulfilled promises of power transition from Mahathir to Anwar, and accused the party of deviating from reformist principles post-2018 election victory.[55] In Azmin's account, the exit stemmed from principled opposition to Anwar's dominance rather than personal ambition, though critics within PH labeled it a betrayal driven by rivalry.[56] The bloc's alignment with Bersatu, PAS, and UMNO defectors formed the initial Perikatan Nasional (PN) informal coalition, which assumed power without elections, prioritizing stability amid the emerging COVID-19 pandemic over PH's reform agenda.[57] Initially operating as independents, Azmin and his supporters formally joined Bersatu—PN's dominant party—on 22 August 2020, solidifying their integration into the coalition structure.[58][59] This transition marked Azmin's full departure from PH's opposition roots, positioning him as a key figure in PN's governance, including roles in economic policy continuity despite the coalition's Malay-centric composition contrasting PH's multi-ethnic emphasis.[57] The shift drew legal challenges from PH over anti-hopping laws, but courts upheld MPs' freedom to change support without vacating seats, reflecting Malaysia's fluid parliamentary dynamics.[60]Leadership in the 2020 Malaysian political crisis
In February 2020, amid escalating internal disputes within the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition over the delayed transfer of the prime ministership from Mahathir Mohamad to Anwar Ibrahim, Azmin Ali, then PKR deputy president and Minister of Economic Affairs, emerged as a central figure in orchestrating a breakaway faction. Azmin, who had long harbored ambitions for higher leadership and clashed with Anwar over party control, convened private meetings with disaffected PKR lawmakers and MPs from other parties, including Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), to explore alternatives to PH's leadership impasse. These discussions, reported to involve around 20-30 parliamentarians, focused on backing Muhyiddin Yassin as a stabilizing alternative prime minister.[61][62] On 23 February 2020, Azmin directed his allies—including 11 PKR MPs under his influence—to convene at the Sheraton Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, a maneuver dubbed the "Sheraton Move" that publicly signaled their withdrawal of support from the PH government. This assembly, coordinated with Bersatu leaders, effectively eroded PH's slim parliamentary majority of 113 seats, as the defectors aligned with Perikatan Nasional (PN), comprising Bersatu, PAS, and Umno. Azmin's strategic maneuvering provided the numerical edge needed for PN's claim to power, with his faction's 11 MPs proving pivotal alongside Bersatu's 26 exits from PH. Critics, including PH loyalists, labeled the episode a "backdoor coup" that undermined the 2018 reformist mandate, while Azmin justified it as a constitutional response to PH's internal paralysis and Mahathir's forced transition pressures.[63][64] The crisis culminated on 24 February when Mahathir resigned, paving the way for Yang di-Pertuan Agong's audience with party leaders; Azmin actively lobbied for Muhyiddin, who secured appointment as prime minister on 1 March 2020 after demonstrating majority support to the King. Under the ensuing PN administration, Azmin was elevated to Minister of International Trade and Industry on 9 March 2020, consolidating his influence despite expulsion from PKR on 23 February for insubordination. His leadership in the realignment stabilized PN's hold amid the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic but drew accusations of opportunism, with detractors arguing it prioritized personal and ethnic-Malay interests over democratic norms. Azmin countered that the shift averted governance collapse, citing constitutional provisions for parliamentary majorities to form governments without elections.[65][64]Role in Bersatu and recent party dynamics
Following his defection from Parti Keadilan Rakyat in February 2020, Azmin Ali aligned with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), where he emerged as a pivotal figure leveraging his influence among former PKR members to bolster the party's parliamentary strength during the formation of the Perikatan Nasional coalition government.[66] As a member of Bersatu's Supreme Council, he also held the position of Information Chief for Perikatan Nasional, coordinating the coalition's public messaging amid governance challenges from 2020 to 2022.[66] In November 2024, Azmin was appointed Bersatu's secretary-general by party president Muhyiddin Yassin, succeeding Ahmad Faizal Azumu in a move to streamline administrative functions ahead of internal elections.[67][68] This role positioned him as third-in-command after deputy president Hamzah Zainudin, enhancing his oversight of party operations, membership discipline, and electoral preparations.[69] By mid-2025, Bersatu faced intensifying internal divisions, including factional disputes over leadership succession following Muhyiddin's health concerns and the party's weakened post-2022 election standing, with suspended members like Wan Saiful Wan Jan publicly deeming Azmin "unfit" for higher roles due to alleged past scandals.[66][70] Analysts emphasized Azmin's responsibility as secretary-general to mediate these rifts, warning that failure could erode Bersatu's relevance within Perikatan Nasional and empower allies like PAS.[10] In response, Azmin advocated for unity in September 2025, asserting Bersatu's role as the primary defender of Malay interests against rival parties, while issuing an October 25 internal circular prohibiting associations with expelled or suspended members to enforce discipline.[71][72] Speculation persists that Muhyiddin favors Azmin as a potential presidential successor over Hamzah, positioning him as a "hidden favorite" amid ongoing power struggles.[70][73]Electoral record
State assembly elections
Azmin Ali first entered elective office by winning the Hulu Kelang state constituency in the 1999 Selangor state election as a candidate for the newly formed Parti Keadilan Rakyat, securing the seat amid the Reformasi movement's push against Barisan Nasional dominance. He retained Hulu Kelang in the 2008 state election under the Pakatan Rakyat coalition, contributing to PR's control of Selangor, and again in 2013 with a strengthened majority that bolstered his subsequent appointment as Menteri Besar in 2014.[14] Azmin did not contest the 2018 Selangor state election, instead focusing on defending his federal parliamentary seat in Gombak, where Pakatan Harapan achieved a landslide victory. Following his departure from PKR and alignment with Perikatan Nasional in 2020, he returned to state-level politics in the 2023 Selangor state election, contesting Hulu Kelang under Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu). On 12 August 2023, he defeated Pakatan Harapan's Juwairiya Zulkifli with 25,597 votes to her 23,980, securing a narrow majority of 1,617 votes in a constituency with significant Malay support amid PN's "green wave" momentum.[74][75][76] This victory positioned him as a key opposition figure in the Selangor assembly, where PN holds 22 of 56 seats as of 2025.[77]| Election | Constituency | Coalition/Party | Votes | Majority | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Hulu Kelang | Keadilan | N/A | N/A | Won |
| 2008 | Hulu Kelang | Pakatan Rakyat (PKR) | N/A | N/A | Won |
| 2013 | Hulu Kelang | Pakatan Rakyat (PKR) | N/A | N/A | Won[14] |
| 2023 | Hulu Kelang | Perikatan Nasional (Bersatu) | 25,597 | 1,617 | Won[75][74] |
Parliamentary elections
Azmin Ali first entered federal parliament by winning the Gombak constituency in the 2004 Malaysian general election as a candidate for the People's Justice Party (PKR).[22][23] He retained the seat in subsequent elections held on 8 March 2008, 5 May 2013, and 9 May 2018, representing PKR within the Pakatan Rakyat (later Pakatan Harapan) opposition coalition.[22][23] In the 15th general election on 19 November 2022, Azmin contested Gombak under the Perikatan Nasional coalition as a Bersatu candidate following his departure from PKR and Pakatan Harapan. He faced a five-cornered contest but lost to Amirudin Shari, the PKR candidate and former Selangor Menteri Besar, who secured 72,267 votes to Azmin's 59,538, yielding a majority of 12,729 votes for the victor.[23][78][79] This defeat ended Azmin's parliamentary tenure, which had spanned four terms over 18 years.[22][80]| Election Year | Constituency | Party/Coalition | Result | Majority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Gombak | PKR | Won | N/A |
| 2008 | Gombak | PKR (Pakatan Rakyat) | Won | N/A |
| 2013 | Gombak | PKR (Pakatan Rakyat) | Won | N/A |
| 2018 | Gombak | PKR (Pakatan Harapan) | Won | N/A |
| 2022 | Gombak | Bersatu (Perikatan Nasional) | Lost | 12,729 (defeat) |