Who is Saifuddin bin Abdullah?
Yang Berhormat Dato’ Sri Saifuddin bin Abdullah (born 27 January 1961) is a prominent Malaysian politician, academic, and reform-minded leader known for his progressive views and active role across multiple Malaysian administrations.
He currently serves as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Indera Mahkota, a position he has held since May 2018. Over his long political career, he has served in several key ministerial roles, including Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Communications and Multimedia, and Deputy Minister of Higher Education.
Early Life and Education
Saifuddin bin Abdullah was born in Kampung Sungai Ara, Mentakab, Pahang, to an ustaz (religious teacher) father and a schoolteacher mother. He was raised in Temerloh, a town near Mentakab.
He received his early education at Sekolah Kebangsaan Abu Bakar Mentakab (1968–1973) and later attended the prestigious Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK) from 1974 to 1980.
He went on to obtain a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the University of Malaya in 1984, followed by a Diploma in Translation from the Malaysian Translators Association / Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (1985).
In 1995, he attended the Executive Course at Harvard Business School, further strengthening his academic and leadership credentials.
Political Career
Early Years
Before entering mainstream politics, Saifuddin served as Secretary-General of the Malaysian Youth Council, where he became known for promoting youth development and civic engagement.
He first entered Parliament in 2008, winning the Temerloh seat under Barisan Nasional (UMNO). He was appointed Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur and Co-operatives Development (2008–2009), and later Deputy Minister of Higher Education II (2009–2013).
Progressive Voice in Government
Saifuddin gained recognition as one of the more moderate and reform-minded politicians within UMNO. He openly criticized the government’s handling of the Bersih 2.0 rally in 2011, which saw mass arrests, and defended university students’ rights to free expression.
After losing his parliamentary seat in the 2013 General Election, he became a research fellow at the University of Malaya but resigned in 2014 in protest against political interference in academia.
Shift to PKR and Pakatan Harapan
In 2015, he left UMNO over the 1MDB scandal and joined the People’s Justice Party (PKR), aligning himself with the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition.
He was appointed Chief Secretary of Pakatan Harapan in 2015, serving under Mahathir Mohamad, Anwar Ibrahim, and Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
Ministerial Appointments
| Position | Term | Prime Minister | Coalition | Constituency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | 2018–2020 | Mahathir Mohamad | PH | Indera Mahkota |
| Minister of Communications and Multimedia | 2020–2021 | Muhyiddin Yassin | PN | Indera Mahkota |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs (2nd term) | 2021–2022 | Ismail Sabri Yaakob | BN/PN | Indera Mahkota |
| Deputy Minister of Higher Education II | 2009–2013 | Najib Razak | BN | Temerloh |
| Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur and Co-operatives Development | 2008–2009 | Abdullah Ahmad Badawi | BN | Temerloh |
Political Realignments
In February 2020, following the Sheraton Move, Saifuddin left PKR alongside Azmin Ali and several other MPs, forming an independent bloc that later joined the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU), part of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition.
He currently serves as the State Chairman of BERSATU and PN in Pahang.
Personal Life
Saifuddin is married to Norlin Shamsul Bahri, and the couple has one child.
He continues to reside in Pahang, the state he has long represented and served.
Health
In April 2021, Saifuddin tested positive for COVID-19 and was hospitalized at Sungai Buloh Hospital. After 16 days of treatment, he made a full recovery.
Honours and Titles
| Honour | State / Nation | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knight Grand Companion of the Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang (SSAP) | Pahang | Dato’ Sri | 2021 |
| Knight Companion of the Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang (DSAP) | Pahang | Dato’ | 2009 |
| Knight Commander of the Order of the Perak State Crown (DPMP) | Perak | Dato’ | 2002 |
| Recipient of the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Installation Medal | Malaysia | – | 2024 |
Publications
Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah has authored several books focusing on Malaysian politics, democracy, and governance. His four key titles are:
- “Politik Baru: Mematangkan Demokrasi Malaysia” (2008)
- “New Politics 2.0: Mobilising Malaysian Civil Society” (2011)
- “Empowered! Reformasi Generasi Baru” (2013)
- “New Politics: Re-Engineering Malaysian Democracy” (2010)
Saifuddin has authored four books on Malaysian politics and governance, emphasizing transparency, democracy, and civic participation. These works collectively explore themes such as participatory democracy, political reform, and greater transparency in governance.
Online Presence
🌐 Official Website
📘 Saifuddin Abdullah on Facebook
🏛️ Parliament of Malaysia Profile
Summary
Dato’ Sri Saifuddin bin Abdullah is widely respected as a principled, reformist Malaysian leader who has held multiple ministerial roles across governments. His journey from UMNO to PKR and later to BERSATU reflects his evolving stance toward progressive governance, youth empowerment, and integrity in public service.
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