Azmin Ali
{{Short description|Malaysian politician}}
{{Malay name|Mohamed Azmin|Ali|note=on}}
{{Use Malaysian English|date=August 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix = Yang Berhormat Dato' Seri
| name = Mohamed Azmin Ali
| native_name = {{lang|ms|{{Script|Arab|عزمين علي}}}}
| honorific-suffix = {{post-nominals|size=100|country=MYS|SPMS|SSDK|SMS (Selangor)|MLA (Selangor)}}
| image = Azmin Ali 2022.jpg
| caption = Azmin in 2022
| office = State Leader of the Opposition of Selangor
| monarch = Sharafuddin
| 1blankname = Menteri Besar
| 1namedata = Amirudin Shari
| term_start = 19 September 2023
| term_end =
| predecessor = Rizam Ismail
| successor =
| constituency = Hulu Kelang
| order1 = 15th
| office1 = Menteri Besar of Selangor
| monarch1 = Sharafuddin
| term_start1 = 23 September 2014
| term_end1 = 19 June 2018
| predecessor1 = Khalid Ibrahim
| successor1 = Amirudin Shari
| constituency1 = Bukit Antarabangsa
| office2 = 2nd Secretary-General of Perikatan Nasional
| deputy2 = Takiyuddin Hassan
| 2blankname2 = Chairman
| 2namedata2 = Muhyiddin Yassin
| term_start2 = 9 December 2024
| term_end2 =
| predecessor2 = Hamzah Zainudin
| successor2 =
| office3 = 4th Secretary-General of the
Malaysian United Indigenous Party
| term_start3 = 28 November 2024
| term_end3 =
| president3 = Muhyiddin Yassin
| predecessor3 = Hamzah Zainudin
| successor3 =
| office6 = 4th Deputy President of the People's Justice Party
| term_start6 = 28 November 2010
| term_end6 = 24 February 2020
| president6 = {{unbulleted list|Wan Azizah Wan Ismail
(2010–2018)|Anwar Ibrahim
(2018–2020)}}
| predecessor6 = Syed Husin Ali
| successor6 = Rafizi Ramli
{{collapsed infobox section begin |last=yes |Ministerial portfolios
|titlestyle = border:1px dashed lightgrey;}}{{Infobox officeholder |embed=yes
| subterm7 = 2018–2020
| suboffice7 = Minister of Economic Affairs
| subterm8 = 2020–2022
| suboffice8 = Senior Minister (Economic Cluster)
| subterm9 = 2020–2022
| suboffice9 = Minister of International Trade and Industry
{{Collapsed infobox section end}}}}
{{Collapsed infobox section begin |last=yes |Parliamentary offices
|titlestyle = border:1px dashed lightgrey;}}{{Infobox officeholder |embed=yes
| constituency_AM10 = Hulu Kelang
| assembly10 = Selangor State Legislative
| term_start10 = 12 August 2023
| predecessor10 = Saari Sungib
| majority10 = 1,671 (2023)
| term_start11 = 29 November 1999
| term_end11 = 21 March 2004
| predecessor11 = Fuad Hassan
| successor11 = Ahmad Bujang
| constituency_MP12 = Gombak
| parliament12 = Malaysian
| term_start12 = 8 March 2008
| term_end12 = 19 November 2022
| predecessor12 = Rahman Ismail
| successor12 = Amirudin Shari
| constituency_AM13 = Bukit Antarabangsa
| assembly13 = Selangor State Legislative
| term_start13 = 8 March 2008
| term_end13 = 12 August 2023
| predecessor13 = Azman Wahid
| successor13 = Mohd Kamri Kamaruddin
{{Collapsed infobox section end}}}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1964|08|25|df=y}}
| birth_place = State of Singapore, Malaysia
| residence = Ulu Kelang, Selangor, Malaysia
| alma_mater = University of Minnesota (BSc, MEd)
| death_date =
| death_place =
| citizenship = Malaysia
| party = United Malays National Organisation (UMNO)
{{small|(1987–1998)}}
National Justice Party (KeADILan)
{{small|(1998–2003)}}
People's Justice Party (PKR)
{{small|(2003–2020)}}
Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU)
{{small|(2020–present)}}
| otherparty = Barisan Nasional (BN)
{{small|(1987–1998)}}
Barisan Alternatif (BA)
{{small|(1998–2004)}}
Pakatan Rakyat (PR)
{{small|(2008–2015)}}
Pakatan Harapan (PH)
{{small|(2015–2020)}}
Perikatan Nasional (PN)
{{small|(2020–present)}}
| occupation = Politician
| relations = {{unbulleted list|Azwan Ali (brother)|Ummi Hafilda Ali (sister)}}
| spouse = Shamshida Tahrin
| children = 6
| website = {{URL|http://www.azminali.com}}
| signature = Tt azmin ali.svg
| footnotes =
}}
Mohamed Azmin bin Ali (Jawi: محمد عزمين بن علي; born 25 August 1964) is a Malaysian politician who has served as the State Leader of the Opposition of Selangor and Member of the Selangor State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Hulu Kelang since August 2023. Formerly a member of the Malaysian Parliament for Gombak from 2008 to 2022, Azmin served in the cabinets of Muhyiddin Yassin and Ismail Sabri Yaakob as Senior Minister of the Economic Cluster and Minister of International Trade and Industry from 2020 to 2022. A member of Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU), which is a component party of Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition. He also served as MLA for Bukit Antarabangsa from 2008 to 2023 and for Hulu Kelang from 1999 to 2004. He has also served as the 2nd Secretary-General of PN since December 2024 and 4th Secretary-General of BERSATU since November 2024. He served as the Information Chief of PN and Member of the Supreme Council of BERSATU. He is also widely regarded as a key figure in the 2020–2022 Malaysian political crisis, playing an important role in the fall of the PH federal government in February 2020.
Early years and education
Mohamed Azmin Ali was born on 25 August 1964 in Singapore (then a state of Malaysia) to Ali Omar and Che Tom Yahaya. His father worked for the British Army as a clerk. Shortly after the separation, his family later moved to Kuala Lumpur. He began his education at Gurney Road Primary School, then Setapak High School, and ended it at Jalan Cheras Technical Institute. He studied at the University of Minnesota before earning a degree in economics and mathematics, and later continued his master's degree. During his study, he was actively involved in student politics.
He received Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Economics and Mathematics from the University of Minnesota. He later completed his Master of Education's degree (MEd) from the same institute where he met Shamsidar Taharin, his future wife. While studying, Azmin taught modern and additional mathematics. One of his notable students was Razali Ibrahim, a former deputy minister, when they were in MRSM Terendak. He also attended an executive training programme at the University of Oxford.
Political career
=Early career=
In 1987, following advice from the Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, Azmin started working for Anwar Ibrahim, who was then a Minister in Mahathir's Barisan Nasional government. Azmin served as Anwar's personal secretary through Anwar's appointment as Deputy Prime Minister in 1993 and until Mahathir sacked Anwar in 1998. Azmin remained close to Anwar following the dismissal and they both became founders of the opposition Parti Keadilan Nasional (KeADILan), which later became the People's Justice Party or Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).{{cite news|url=http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/from-critic-to-selangor-mb-azmin-alis-climb-to-the-top|title=From critic to Selangor MB, Azmin Ali's climb to the topf|work=Bernama|access-date=24 September 2014}}
=State assemblyman and parliamentarian=
Azmin's political career began after he won the Hulu Kelang state assembly seat in the 1999 election. Keadilan entered the 1999 general elections amidst voter anger over Anwar's dismissal and subsequent imprisonment. Azmin was elected Selangor State Assemblyman for Hulu Kelang. However, he was barred from participating in the 2004 general elections due to his conviction for lying in court during the trial against Anwar. He was unable to defend the seat in the 2004 election after being barred for allegedly lying in court during the trial against Anwar. The High Court and Court of Appeal have since acquitted him.[https://web.archive.org/web/20110622032645/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2009%2F1%2F8%2Fcourts%2F2970621&sec=courts No case against Azmin] The Star. 8 January 2009
Azmin returned to national politics in the 2008 general elections, winning the Gombak parliamentary seat and Bukit Antarabangsa state seat in Selangor. Meanwhile, in 2010, he won an internal PKR election for the party's deputy presidency. He replaced Syed Husin, who did not seek re-election.{{cite news|url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2010/11/29/azmin-ali-is-pkr-deputy-president-nurul-izzah-is-veep/|title=Azmin Ali is PKR deputy president, Nurul Izzah is veep|date=29 November 2010|work=Bernama|access-date=19 October 2014}} He was reelected as the party's deputy president in 2018 after a close election against Rafizi Ramli.{{Cite web|title=PKR Election 2018 Tracker|url=https://pages.malaysiakini.com/pkr2018/en/|access-date=2020-08-09|website=Malaysiakini|language=en}}
In the 2013 general elections and 2018 general elections he managed to clinch both seats again.{{cite web |url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/politik/2018/05/423635/pemimpin-utama-pakatan-menang |title =Pemimpin utama pakatan menang |date=9 May 2018 |work =Nazura Ngah; Fairul Asmaini Mohd Pilus; Nur Lela Zulkipli & Seri Nor Nadiah Koris|publisher=Berita Harian|language=ms|access-date=10 May 2018}} He lost the Gombak seat in the 2022 election. He did not contest the Bukit Antarabangsa state seat in the 2023 Selangor state election and instead contest the Hulu Kelang state seat, which he won.
=Menteri Besar of Selangor=
{{main|Kajang Move}}
Azmin became the Menteri Besar of Selangor on 23 September 2014, following the resignation of the PKR incumbent Khalid Ibrahim. His ascension to the post followed months of internal political wrangling within the Pakatan Rakyat coalition that led the state. Khalid had been the Menteri Besar since the coalition of PKR, the Democratic Action Party (DAP) and the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) won a majority in the Selangor State Assembly in the 2008 election. In early 2014, PKR's national leader, Anwar Ibrahim, then a federal parliamentarian sought to contest the Selangor State Assembly seat of Kajang in a by-election. The so-called "Kajang Move" would have allowed Anwar to oust Khalid as Menteri Besar with PKR's support. However, after Anwar's conviction for sodomy weeks before the by-election, his wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail assumed PKR's nomination for the by-election in his place and won the seat. Khalid resigned as Menteri Besar after PKR withdrew its support for his leadership later in the year. PKR, with the DAP's support, nominated Wan Azizah to replace him, but both the Sultan of Selangor (who appoints the Menteri Besar) and the third coalition party, PAS, sought other options. The Sultan requested that each coalition party submit three names for his consideration. PKR and the DAP submitted only Wan Azizah's name, while PAS submitted others.{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-22/anwar-ally-azmin-tapped-to-lead-malaysia-s-most-populous-state.html|title=Anwar's Wife Pipped in Tussle to Run Malaysia's Selangor|last=Chong Pooi Koon|date=23 September 2014|work=Bloomberg|access-date=24 September 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/wan-azizah-to-contest-kajang-seat-replaces-anwar|title=Wan Azizah to contest Kajang seat, replaces Anwar|last=Mohd Farwan Darwis|date=9 March 2014|work=The Malaysian Insider|access-date=25 September 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006112718/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/wan-azizah-to-contest-kajang-seat-replaces-anwar|archive-date=6 October 2014|df=dmy-all}}{{cite news |url=http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/with-azmin-as-mb-the-failure-of-pkrs-kajang-move-say-analysts |title=With Azmin as MB, the failure of PKR's Kajang Move, say analysts |last=Ng |first=Eileen |date=23 September 2014 |work=The Malaysian Insider |access-date=25 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140925073208/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/with-azmin-as-mb-the-failure-of-pkrs-kajang-move-say-analysts |archive-date=25 September 2014 |df=dmy }}{{cite news|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/09/21/selangor-mb-crisis-azmin-ali-no-support-from-pkr/|title=Selangor MB crisis: Puzzling if name other than Wan Azizah chosen, says Tian Chua|last=Habibu|first=Sira|author2=Muthiah, Wani |date=21 September 2014|work=The Star|access-date=25 September 2014}} On 22 September, the Sultan announced the appointment of Azmin. He was sworn into office the following morning.{{cite news |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/pkr-s-azmin-ali-is-new/1375360.html |title=PKR's Azmin Ali is new Selangor MB: Sultan's secretary |date=22 September 2014 |work=Channel NewsAsia |access-date=25 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140926055102/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/pkr-s-azmin-ali-is-new/1375360.html |archive-date=26 September 2014 |df=dmy }}
Azmin was the sole recipient of the Order of the Crown of Selangor in Knight Grand Commander class (S.P.M.S) in 2015, which carries the title 'Dato' Seri' in conjunction with the 70th birthday of the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah on 11 December 2015.{{Cite web |url=http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2015/12/11/its-dato-seri-azmin-ali-now/ |title=It's Datuk Seri Azmin Ali now | Free Malaysia Today |access-date=12 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151215051427/http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2015/12/11/its-dato-seri-azmin-ali-now/ |archive-date=15 December 2015 |url-status=dead }}
Azmin was once again reelected as the Menteri Besar of Selangor in the aftermath of 2018 Malaysian general election after defending his Bukit Antarabangsa state seat. He was sworn into title on the evening of 11 May 2018 at Istana Alam Shah.{{cite news|author1=Khairul Azwan Hussin|author2=Ruwaida Md Zain|title=Mohamed Azmin angkat sumpah MB Selangor|url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2018/05/424321/mohamed-azmin-angkat-sumpah-mb-selangor|access-date=11 May 2018|work=Berita Harian|date=11 May 2018|language=ms}}
=Minister of Economic Affairs=
{{main|Seventh Mahathir cabinet|Mahathir Mohamad's Second Term (2018-2020)}}
Following the aftermath of the 2018 General Election, Azmin was named as one of the ministers in the newly elected Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's cabinet on 18 May 2018.{{cite news|title=PM umum senarai menteri Kabinet|url=http://www.sinarharian.com.my/nasional/pm-umum-senarai-menteri-kabinet-1.836135|access-date=21 May 2018|work=Sinar Harian|date=18 May 2018|language=ms}} He is to head the newly established Ministry of Economic Affairs. He was sworn in as the Minister of Economic Affairs on 21 May 2018 at Istana Negara.{{cite news|title=Wan Azizah ketuai angkat sumpah menteri kabinet|url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2018/05/428435/wan-azizah-ketuai-angkat-sumpah-menteri-kabinet|access-date=22 May 2018|work=Berita Harian|date=21 May 2018|language=ms}} His term ended on 24 February 2020 after the dissolution of cabinet following the resignation of Mahathir Mohamad as Malaysia's Prime Minister per article 43(5) of the Constitution of Malaysia, that allowed the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to revoke the appointment of ministers.{{cite news |url=http://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/semua-jawatan-menteri-kabinet-timbalan-menteri-dan-setiausaha-politik-dihentikan-231598?amp |title=Semua jawatan menteri Kabinet, timbalan menteri dan setiausaha politik dihentikan |work=Astro Awani |date=24 February 2020 |access-date=24 February 2020 |language=ms}}{{cite news |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysian-pm-mahathir-resigns-in-tactical-move-to-thwart-anwar-succession-sources |title=Mahathir resigns as Malaysian Prime Minister, PH loses majority after MPs leave |work=The Straits Times |date=24 February 2020 |access-date=24 February 2020 }}{{cite wikisource |title=Constitution of Malaysia - Article 43: Cabinet |wslink=Constitution of Malaysia |last= |first= |authorlink= |date= |publisher= |location= |page= |pages= |scan=}}
=Change of allegiance=
{{Main|2020 Malaysian political crisis}}
On the morning of 23 February 2020, Azmin held a meeting with several lawmakers from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and twenty others at Sheraton Hotel, Petaling, amidst the rumour of a formation of a new coalition at the parliament of Malaysia.{{cite news |url=https://malaysiagazette.com/2020/02/23/azmin-mesyuarat-di-hotel-hamzah-zainuddin-dan-baru-bian-turut-hadir/ |title=Azmin mesyuarat di hotel, Hamzah Zainuddin dan Baru Bian turut hadir |author=Kasthuri Jeevendran |date=23 February 2020 |access-date=24 February 2020 |language=ms |work=Malaysia Gazette}} He and his faction in PKR, went to the Istana Negara on the evening to seek a meeting with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Abdullah of Pahang. Leaders from other five political parties; Bersatu's Muhyiddin Yassin, UMNO's Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, GPS's Abang Johari Openg, Warisan's Shafie Apdal and PAS's Hadi Awang were also in attendance.See update at 7:11pm - Istana Negara {{cite news |url=https://m.malaysiakini.com/news/511939 |title=New coalition: Anwar in emergency meeting, Azmin vows to continue reform agenda |work=Malaysia Kini |date=23 February 2020 |access-date=24 February 2020}} It was speculated that the leaders were there to brief the Agong about the recent political development; formation of a new coalition government and to declare their support for a new prime minister, effectively blocking PKR's president Anwar Ibrahim from the position.{{cite news |url=https://says.com/my/news/pas-umno-bersatu-amanah-and-10-pkr-mps-said-to-be-forming-a-new-coalition-govt |title=PAS, UMNO, Bersatu, Amanah And 10 PKR MPs Said To Be Forming A New Coalition Govt |work=SAYS |author=Sadho Ram |date=23 February 2020 |access-date=24 February 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/24/anwar-ibrahim-decries-traitors-amid-cracks-in-deal-to-make-him-malaysias-next-pm |work=The Guardian |title=Malaysia's PM Mahathir Mohamad resigns amid political turmoil |last=Ratcliffe |first=Rebecca |date=24 February 2020 |access-date=24 February 2020}} After the meeting, several opposition party leaders, including UMNO's Ismail Sabri Yaakob and PAS' Hadi Awang then joined Azmin's supporters at Sheraton Hotel.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/02/23/azmin-arrives-at-sheraton-hotel-first-sighting-since-rumoured-new-coalition/1840150 |title=Azmin arrives at Sheraton Hotel, first sighting since rumoured new coalition |author=Yiswaree Palansamy |work=Malay Mail |date=23 February 2020 |access-date=24 February 2020}}
On the next day, 24 February, PKR's general secretary, Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced in a press conference at the party's headquarters that Azmin and Minister of Housing and Local Government, Zuraida Kamaruddin who is also the vice president of PKR had been sacked from the party.{{cite news |url=https://www.msn.com/en-my/news/national/azmin-zuraida-sacked-from-pkr/ar-BB10jqFy?li=BBr8Hnu |title=Azmin, Zuraida sacked from PKR |date=24 February 2020 |access-date=24 February 2020 |work=MSN}} Saifuddin explained that they were expelled due to their actions on 23 October which was against the party's principle regarding the position of prime minister.{{cite news |url=https://www.thejakartapost.com/seasia/2020/02/24/azmin-zuraida-sacked-from-party-of-malaysias-anwar-ibrahim.html |title=Azmin, Zuraida sacked from party of Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim |work=The Jakarta Post |date=24 February 2020 |access-date=24 February 2020}} Azmin later announced that he will be forming an independent bloc at the parliament along with Zuraida and other nine MPs who had decided to exit the party following his expulsion.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/02/24/azmin-and-zuraida-seen-entering-dr-ms-seri-kembangan-house-after-his-resign/1840391 |title=Azmin and Zuraida seen entering Dr M's Seri Kembangan house after his resignation as PM |work=Malay Mail |date=24 February 2020 |access-date=24 February 2020}} However, on 28 February 2020, a representative from Bersatu confirmed that Azmin and his faction had joined the party.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/02/28/azmins-gang-now-in-bersatu-presidents-aide-says-yes-but-supreme-council-mem/1841874 |title=Azmin's gang now in Bersatu? President's aide says yes, but supreme council member says 'no clue' |work=Malay Mail |date=28 February 2020 |access-date=28 February 2020}} Azmin said, 'immoral sexual practices' by Anwar caused him to lose faith in the PKR president.{{Cite web |date=2021-01-30 |title=Azmin sebut amalan 'tak bermoral' Anwar punca dia tinggalkan PKR |url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/561023 |access-date=2021-01-30 |website=Malaysiakini |language=ms}} Azmin said he doubted the full pardon status granted by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong against Anwar. He added that he was still committed to fighting and eliminating corruption even though he had joined Bersatu. He also denied that he was responsible for the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government's fall in February last year.{{Citation needed|date=January 2022}}
He was named as one of the four senior ministers alongside Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Fadillah Yusof and Mohd Radzi Md Jidin in Muhyiddin cabinet on 9 March 2020. The positions were established by Muhyiddin Yassin, the eighth prime minister as a substitute for the deputy prime minister position.{{cite news |url=https://www.bharian.com.my/node/663557/amp |title=4 Menteri Kanan ganti TPM |work=Berita Harian |language=ms |date=9 March 2020 |access-date=24 March 2020}} Although the four ministers were of equal standings, Azmin was designated by the prime minister to preside over the cabinet's meeting in his absence.{{cite news |url=https://www.bernama.com/bm/news.php?id=1820386 |title=Muhyiddin: Kedudukan menteri kanan sama |work=Bernama |language=ms |date=11 March 2020 |access-date=24 March 2020}}
Controversies and issues
=Victim of hacking=
In late 2011, Israeli private detective Tamir Mori ordered the mercenary Indian hack-for-hire firm Appin to hack more than 40 targets, including Azmin.{{Cite news |last1=Satter |first1=Raphael |last2=Siddiqui |first2=Zeba |last3=Bing |first3=Chris |date=2023-11-16 |title=How an Indian startup hacked the world |url=https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-hackers-appin/ |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=Reuters |language=en}}{{Cite news |last1=Satter |first1=Raphael |last2=Bing |first2=Christopher |date=2022-06-30 |title=How mercenary hackers sway litigation battles |url=https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-hackers-litigation/ |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=Reuters |language=en}}
=Alleged leaked sex tape=
On 12 June 2019, it was reported that Azmin was filmed being intimate with another man, his own political aide Haziq Abdul Aziz, in a video circulating on social media. Azmin denied his involvement.{{cite news|title=Malaysian cabinet minister allegedly depicted in gay sex video, accused of corruption|url=https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-12/gay-sex-video-sparks-scandal-for-malaysian-government/11201834?pfmredir=sm|access-date=12 June 2019|work=ABC News|date=12 June 2019}} Muhammad Haziq Abdul Aziz later confirmed his involvement in the act with the minister and urged authorities to investigate him.{{Cite web|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/479268|title=I was in bed with minister, confesses man claiming to be in viral sex clip|website=Malaysiakini|date=12 June 2019|language=en|access-date=2019-07-25}} Until 16 July 2019, nine people had been arrested by Royal Malaysia Police in the investigation regarding their involvement in making and distribution of the lewd video, including Haziq who had admitted he was the person in the video, and Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak who is PKR Perak state chairman and is also Anwar Ibrahim's political secretary.{{cite news |title=Pengerusi PKR negeri antara 3 ditahan kes video lucah |url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2019/07/585837/pengerusi-pkr-negeri-antara-3-ditahan-kes-video-lucah/amp |publisher=Berita Harian |date=16 July 2019 |access-date=19 July 2019}}{{cite news |title=Anwar terkejut setiausaha politiknya ditahan polis |url=http://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/video-intim-anwar-terkejut-setiausaha-politiknya-ditahan-polis-212881 |author=Rahimah Ibrahim |publisher=Astro Awani |date=17 July 2019 |access-date=19 July 2019}} On 18 July 2019, the Inspector General of Police, Abdul Hamid Bador stated that although the video was authentic, the individual in the video is unidentifiable.{{cite news |title=Azmin tidak dapat dikaitkan dengan video intim - Ketua Polis Negara |url=http://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/azmin-tidak-dapat-dikaitkan-dengan-video-intim-ketua-polis-negara-212986?amp=1 |publisher=Astro Awani |date=18 July 2019 |access-date=19 July 2019 }} He also stated that the group of individuals who made the video were paid thousand of Ringgits, and the video circulation was masterminded by a leader of a political party, with the intention to degrade and defame someone's reputation.{{cite news |title=Kos penghasilan video intim cecah ratusan ribu ringgit: KPN |url=https://www.sinarharian.com.my/ampArticle/38602 |publisher=Sinar Harian |author=Nurul Riduan Nor Ashaha |date=18 July 2019 |access-date=19 July 2019}}
= Land grab in Selangor =
While serving as a Selangor State Assembly back-bencher, Azmin highlighted cases of corruption linked to land and forest matters.{{Cite web |title=Azmin: State Government Should Investigate PKPS Forest Reserves |url=https://arkib.selangorkini.my/2012/11/azmin-state-government-should-investigate-pkps-forest-reserves/}} During his own tenure as Selangor Menteri Besar, Azmin made several land-use decisions that have also been called into question. In particular, Azmin approved the issuance of quarry licences to his political aids.{{Cite web |last=Report |first=Sarawak |title=Azmin Ali's Political Aids Emerge As Concession Holders In Forest Quarry Scandal -EXCLUSIVE |url=https://www.sarawakreport.org/2022/10/azmin-alis-political-aids-emerge-as-concession-holders-in-forest-quarry-scandal/ |access-date=2024-03-13 |website=Sarawak Report}} These licences were inside the Bukit Lagong forest reserve, next to the Forest Research Institute Malaysia.
=Instigation of Sheraton Move=
{{Main|2020–2022 Malaysian political crisis}}
Following the political infighting within Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional Government, Bersatu President Muhyiddin Yassin together with PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang and PKR's defected members led by Azmin Ali formed the Perikatan Nasional and worked alongside UMNO leader Ismail Sabri Yaakob to fill the power vacuum after the resignation of then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. The alliance produced a simple majority in the Malaysian Government, resulting in political instability that led to the Malaysian political crisis.
= Voters file suit against Azmin =
Ten registered voters in the Gombak parliamentary constituency have filed a suit against their parliament member, Mohamed Azmin Ali. The plaintiffs claim that Mohamed Azmin's representations were false and that he only wanted their votes. The ten also claimed that they had relied on those representations to vote for the defendant's 2018 General Election. They seek damages, including aggravated or exemplary damages, interests, costs and other orders deemed fit by the court. "By breaching these representations, the defendant had violated constitutional rights, especially the principles of parliamentary democracy and representative democracy," they said in a statement of claim. The plaintiffs are applying for a declaration that the defendant has breached his fiduciary duties and the duties owed and deceived them.{{Cite web|url=https://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/10-gombak-voters-file-suit-against-azmin-271127|title= Gombak voters file suit against Azmin |access-date=2021-01-30|website=www.astroawani.com|date= December 2020 }}
Personal life
Azmin is married to Shamshida Tahrin, a finance graduate also from the University of Minnesota. The couple have three sons and three daughters.{{cite news |url=https://www.nst.com.my/node/36328/amp |title=Azmin's appointment marks rise through PKR ranks |date=23 September 2014 |access-date=24 February 2020 |work=New Straits Times}} He lives in Ampang.
In addition to an elder brother, Azman Ali,{{cite news |url=https://www.mstar.com.my/spotlight/hiburan/2009/10/19/azmin-ali-jejak-kaki-ke-rumah-azwan-selepas-9-tahun |title=Azmin Ali jejak kaki ke rumah Azwan selepas 9 tahun |work=mStar |language=ms |date=19 October 2009 |access-date=24 February 2020}} among his younger brothers are television host and celebrity Azwan Ali,{{cite news |url=https://www.nst.com.my/node/496229/amp |title=#Showbiz: 'Min, I seek your forgiveness, I've wronged you a lot all these years' - Azwan Ali |author=Dennis Chua |date=14 June 2019 |access-date=24 February 2020 |work=New Straits Times}} and motivator Arpah Ali, while his younger sister is Ummi Hafilda Ali, a prosecution witness in the sodomy trial of jailed former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim.{{cite news |url=https://m.malaysiakini.com/news/407035 |work=Malaysia Kini |title=Helo mufti, boleh tak kau... |author=Shakira Buang |date=29 December 2017 |access-date=24 February 2020 |language=ms}}{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2013/04/13/ge13-ummi-hafilda-i-want-to-take-on-my-brother/ |title=GE13: Ummi Hafilda: I want to take on my brother |work=The Star (Malaysia) |date=13 April 2013 |access-date=24 February 2020}}
Election results
class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"
!|Year !|Constituency !colspan=2|Candidate !|Votes !|Pct !colspan=2|Opponent(s) !|Votes !|Pct !Ballots cast !Majority !Turnout |
2008
| rowspan=9|P098 Gombak |{{Party shading/Keadilan}} | |{{nowrap|Mohamed Azmin Ali}} (PKR) |align="right" |40,334 |53.92% |{{Party shading/Barisan Nasional}} | |Said Anuar Said Ahmad (UMNO) |align="right" |33,467 |44.74% |75,619 |6,867 |76.26% |
rowspan=2|2013
| rowspan=2 {{Party shading/Keadilan}} | | rowspan=2|Mohamed Azmin Ali (PKR) | rowspan=2 align="right" |54,827 | rowspan=2|51.82% |{{Party shading/Barisan Nasional}} | |align="right" |50,093 |47.34% | rowspan=2|107,162 | rowspan=2|4,734 | rowspan=2|86.92% |
{{Party shading/Independent}} |
|Said Nazar Abu Baker (IND) |align="right" |474 |align=right|0.45% |
rowspan=2|2018
| rowspan=2 {{Party shading/Keadilan}} | | rowspan=2|Mohamed Azmin Ali (PKR) | rowspan=2 align="right"|75,113 | rowspan=2|63.10% |{{Party shading/Barisan Nasional}} | |{{nowrap|Abdul Rahim Pandak}} Kamaruddin (UMNO) |align="right" |26,392 |22.17% | rowspan=2|119,975 | rowspan=2|48,721 | rowspan=2|85.43% |
{{Party shading/PAS}} |
|Khairil Nizam Khirudin (PAS) |align="right" |17,537 |14.73% |
rowspan=4 | 2022
| rowspan=4 bgcolor={{Party color|Perikatan Nasional}} | | rowspan=4 |Mohamed Azmin Ali (BERSATU) | rowspan=4 | 59,538 | rowspan=4 | 35.99% | {{Party shading/PH}} | | {{nowrap|Amirudin Shari}} (PKR) | align="right" | 72,267 | 43.69% | rowspan=4 |165,426 | rowspan=4 |12,729 | rowspan=4 |80.01% |
{{Party shading/Barisan Nasional}} |
|Megat Zulkarnain Omardin (UMNO) |align="right" | 30,723 | 18.57% |
bgcolor={{party color|Homeland Fighter's Party}} |
|Aziz Jamaludin Mohd Tahir (PUTRA) |align="right" | 2,223 |align=right| 1.34% |
{{Party shading/Independent}} |
|Zulkifli Ahmad (IND) |align="right" | 675 |align=right|0.41% |
Honours
= Honours of Malaysia =
- {{Flag|Selangor}} :
- 50px Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Selangor (SPMS) – Dato' Seri (2015){{cite web|url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/2015/12/116771/azmin-ali-now-datuk-seri|access-date=12 October 2018|date=11 December 2015|title=Azmin Ali is now a Datuk Seri|work=Bernama|publisher=New Straits Times}}
- 50px Companion of the Order of the Crown of Selangor (SMS)
- {{Flag|Kedah}} :
- 50px Knight Grand Companion of the Order of Loyalty to the Royal House of Kedah (SSDK) – Dato' Seri (2022){{Cite web|url=https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/207691/BERITA/Nasional/Raja-Muda-Kedah-dahului-penerima-darjah-kebesaran|title=Raja Muda Kedah dahului penerima darjah kebesaran|last=HAMID |first=NURUL HIDAYAH |date=2022-06-19 |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=Sinarharian |language=ms}}
References
External links
{{commons category|Mohamed Azmin Ali}}
{{wikiquote|Mohamed Azmin Ali}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110408181533/http://azminali.com/?page_id=4 Personal biography]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080428030225/http://blog.azminali.com/ Official blog]
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{{s-bef|before=Fuad Hassan}}
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{{s-aft|after=Ahmad Bujang}}
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{{s-bef|before=Azman Wahid}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the Selangor State Legislative Assembly
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{{s-aft|after=Mohd Kamri Kamaruddin}}
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{{s-ttl|title=Vice President of the People's Justice Party|years=2001–2010}}
{{s-aft|after=Nurul Izzah Anwar, Tian Chua, Fuziah Salleh, Mansor Othman}}
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{{s-ttl|title=Deputy President of the People's Justice Party|years=2010–2020}}
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{{s-ttl|title=Information Chief of Perikatan Nasional|years=2020–present}}
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{{s-ttl|title=Chairman of the International Bureau of the Malaysian United Indigenous Party|years=2020–present}}
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{{s-ttl|title=Menteri Besar of Selangor|years=2014–2018}}
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{{s-inc}}
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{{Navboxes
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|list =
{{Seventh Mahathir cabinet}}
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