Dato' Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz bin Syed Abdul Fasal (Jawi سيد أبو حسين بن حفيظ سيد عبدالفصل; is a Malaysian politician who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bukit Gantang since May 2018. He served as Chairman of the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) from May 2020 to December 2022.[1] He was a member of the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU), a component party of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition and was also a member of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), a component party of the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition. Currently, he is an independent politician since his BERSATU membership ended on 12 June 2024.

Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal
سيد أبو حسين حفيظ سيد عبدالفصل
Member of the Malaysian Parliament
for Bukit Gantang
Assumed office
9 May 2018
Preceded byIdris Ahmad
(PRPAS)
Majority4,089 (2018)
12,756 (2022)
Chairman of the
Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia
In office
1 May 2020 – 15 December 2022
MinisterRonald Kiandee
(2020–2022)
Mohamad Sabu
(3–15 December 2022)
Preceded byMuhammad Faiz Fadzil
Succeeded byMuhammad Faiz Fadzil
Faction represented in Dewan Rakyat
2018Barisan Nasional
2018–2020, 2024–Independent
2020Malaysian United Indigenous Party
2020–2024Perikatan Nasional
Personal details
Born
Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal

(1960-07-29) 29 July 1960 (age 64)
Bukit Gantang, Perak, Federation of Malaya (now Malaysia)
CitizenshipMalaysian
Political partyUnited Malay National Organisation (UMNO)
(until 2018)
Independent
(2018–2020, 2024–)
Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU)
(2020–2024)
Other political
affiliations
Barisan Nasional (BN)
(until 2018)
Perikatan Nasional (PN)
(2020–2024)
OccupationPolitician

Political career

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Member of Parliament (since 2018)

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2018 general election

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In the 2018 general election, Syed Abu Hussin made his electoral debut after being nominated by BN to contest for the Bukit Gantang federal seat. He was elected to the Parliament as the Bukit Gantang MP for the first term by a majority of 4,089 votes.

Later in the year, he resigned from BN and UMNO and became an independent.[2]

In May 2020, Syed Abu Hussin was appointed the Chairman of LKIM.

In June 2020, Syed Abu Hussin joined PN and BERSATU.[3]

2022 general election

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In the 2022 general election, Syed Abu Hussin was renominated by PN to defend the Bukit Gantang seat. He was reelected to the Parliament as the Bukit Gantang MP for the second term by an increased majority of 12,756votes.

Support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his government

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On 28 November 2023, Syed Abu Hussin declared support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his government during Prime Minister's Question (PMQ) session in the Dewan Rakyat chamber. He became the fifth Opposition, PN and BERSATU MP to do so after Kuala Kangsar MP Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid, Labuan MP Suhaili Abdul Rahman, Gua Musang MP Mohd Azizi Abu Naim and Jeli MP Zahari Kechik. However, like the four MPs, he pledged loyalty to BERSATU and remained its member although supporting Anwar and his government. He also called on former Prime Ministers Muhyiddin Yassin and Ismail Sabri Yaakob to work with Anwar in developing the nation and realising the Malaysia Madani agendas as well as setting aside their political differences.

After his declaration of support, Syed Abu Hussin repeatedly claimed that more MPs would follow them and declare support for Anwar and his government. He also explained that he had made the decision as he felt sidelined by the BERSATU party leadership and it did nothing to help him in getting the government allocations for Bukit Gantang. He also expected the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) to leave PN and sever cooperation and partnership with BERSATU as PAS had a history of changing political partners shortly before a general election. Hence, he urged BERSATU to be prepared for it.

On 28 January 2024, Syed Abu Hussin became the first opposition MP in support of the government to be appointed to a government position after Anwar named Syed Abu Hussin to lead a committee under the National Action Council on the Cost of Living (NACCOL) and tasked him to coordinate efforts to handle the matters related to the cost of living.

On 29 February 2024, Syed Abu Hussin and Mohd Azizi expressed their willingness to vacate their seats and resign as MPs if the BERSATU party constitution amendment that was set to be tabled during the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of the party on 2 March 2024 required them to do so. Syed Abu Hussin also clarified that he was being paid as the Chairman of NACCOL committee and was offered the position by Prime Minister Anwar. However, Masjid Tanah MP Mas Ermieyati Samsudin responded that it would be unfair for Syed Abu Hussin, Mohd Azizi and other MPs who pledged support for Prime Minister Anwar and his government to vacate their seats and resign as MPs. She added that the amendments tabled should not act retrospectively.

Election results

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Parliament of Malaysia[4][5][6][7]
Year Constituency Candidate Votes Pct Opponent(s) Votes Pct Ballots cast Majority Turnout
2018 P059 Bukit Gantang Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (UMNO) 22,450 39.48% Khadri Khalid (BERSATU) 18,361 32.29% 57,867 4,089 82.82%
Idris Ahmad (PAS) 16,052 28.23%
2022 Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (BERSATU) 32,625 45.59% Mohammad Sollehin Mohamad Tajie (UMNO) 19,869 27.76% 71,565 12,756 75.93%
Fakhruldin Mohd Hashim (AMANAH) 18,565 25.94%
Mohd Shukri Mohd Yusoff (PUTRA) 508 0.71%

Honours

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References

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  1. ^ "Perkukuh industri perikanan [METROTV]". Nor 'Asyikin Mat Hayin, Muhamad Allyme Mohd Izam, Saifullizan Tamadi (in Malay). Harian Metro. 30 May 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
  2. ^ Mohd Hafizee Mohd Arop (26 June 2018). "Ahli Parlimen Bukit Gantang keluar BN, UMNO". Berita Harian. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  3. ^ Rafidah Mat Ruzki (6 June 2020). "Tambat nyatakan sokongan, Syed Abu Hussin sertai BERSATU". Harian Metro. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  4. ^ "my undi : Kawasan & Calon-Calon PRU13 : Keputusan PRU13 (Archived copy)". www.myundi.com.my. Archived from the original on 31 March 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  5. ^ "Keputusan Pilihan Raya Umum ke-13". Utusan Malaysia. Archived from the original on 21 March 2018. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  6. ^ "Semakan Keputusan Pilihan Raya Umum ke – 14" (in Malay). Election Commission of Malaysia. Retrieved 17 May 2018. Percentage figures based on total turnout.
  7. ^ "The Star Online GE14". The Star. Retrieved 24 May 2018. Percentage figures based on total turnout.
  8. ^ "Sultan of Perak 82nd birthday honours list". www.thestar.com.my.