Zahidi Zainul Abidin

Datuk Zahidi bin Zainul Abidin (Jawi: زاهدي بن زين العابدين; born 9 January 1961) is a Malaysian politician who has served as the Deputy Minister of Communications and Multimedia in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration under Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and Minister Saifuddin Abdullah since March 2020. He is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Padang Besar and the Head of the Padang Besar Division of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). He is also the Chairman of the Malaysian International Institute of Islamic Cooperation (IKIAM).[1]

In this Malay name, there is no family name. The name Zainul Abidin is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Zahidi.
Yang Berhormat Datuk

Zahidi Zainul Abidin

DMSM MP
زاهدي بن زين العابدين
Deputy Minister of Communications and Multimedia
Assumed office
10 March 2020
MonarchAbdullah
Prime MinisterMuhyiddin Yassin
MinisterSaifuddin Abdullah
Preceded byEddin Syazlee Shith
ConstituencyPadang Besar
Member of the Malaysian Parliament
for Padang Besar
Assumed office
5 May 2013
Preceded byAzmi Khalid (UMNO–BN)
Majority7,426 (2013)
1,438 (2018)
Personal details
Born
Zahidi bin Zainul Abidin

(1961-01-09) 9 January 1961
CitizenshipMalaysian
Political partyUnited Malays National Organisation (UMNO)
Other political
affiliations		Barisan Nasional (BN)
Perikatan Nasional (PN)
Muafakat Nasional (MN)
OccupationPolitician
Zahidi Zainul Abidin on Facebook
Zahidi Zainul Abidin on Parliament of Malaysia

Zahidi received his Diploma in Public Administration from Institut Teknologi MARA (Universiti Teknologi MARA).[2]

Political offices

Zahidi has held various positions in politics and UMNO:

YearDesignation
1991–1993Islamic Education Chief for UMNO Youth Malaysia
1993Deputy Chief of UMNO Youth Kangar Division
1998Members of The Training and Student Council UMNO Youth Malaysia.
1998International UMNO Youth Council Member
1998UMNO International Bureau
1991–1998UMNO Malaysia Youth Education Bureau
1994–1998Perlis Deputy UMNO Youth Chief
1994–2001UMNO Padang Besar Youth Chief
1998–2001UMNO Perlis Youth Chief
2001–2004UMNO Malaysia Youth Exco
2008–presentUMNO Padang Besar Divisional Chief
2020–presentDeputy Minister of Communications and Multimedia

Controversies

On September 2020, Zahidi caused a nationwide outrage when he falsely accused a Sabahan foundation student named Veveonah Mosibin from Universiti Malaysia Sabah of trying to popularise her YouTube channel when she posted a video of her in a hut on top of a tree struggling to take an exam. Veveonah at the time had to stay home due to Malaysia's Movement Control Order (MCO) to stop the COVID-19 outbreak in the country and had to go on top of tree to get signal for internet connection.[3] Zahidi was later made to apologise for his inaccurate remark in Dewan Negara and informed that it was Abdul Rahim Bakri of Kudat MP who told him that Veveonah did not have exams on the day she uploaded the video, of which, later clarified otherwise by the university's chairman, Masidi Manjun.[4][5][6]

The aftermath of the incident had brought Zahidi's academic credentials under spotlight for purportedly dubious academic qualification while Veveonah's hometown district got 13 new telecommunication towers expeditiously installed with 4G connection under the JENDELA program.[7][8]

Health

In January 2021, Zahidi was tested positive for COVID-19 and sent to Sungai Buloh Hospital for treatment.[9]

Election results
Perlis State Legislative Assembly: N2 Beseri
Year Votes Pct Opponent(s) Votes Pct Ballots cast Majority Turnout
1999 Zahidi Zainul Abidin (UMNO) 2,774 58.66% Abd. Rahman Rejab (PAS) 1,955 41.34% 5,069 819 73.77%
2004 Zahidi Zainul Abidin (UMNO) 3,492 68.30% Mohd Anuar Mohd Tahir (PAS) 1,621 31.70% 5,222 1,871 78.59%
Parliament of Malaysia: Padang Besar, Perlis[10]
Year Votes Pct Opponent(s) Votes Pct
2013 Zahidi Zainul Abidin (UMNO) 21,473 60.45% Azamhari Mohamood (PAS) 14,047 39.55%
2018 Zahidi Zainul Abidin (UMNO) 15,032 41.18% Izizam Ibrahim (BERSATU) 13,594 37.24%
Mokhtar Senik (PAS) 7,874 21.57%

Honours

References
  1. Directory."Institut Kerjasama Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (IKIAM", IKIAM, 25 April 2013.
  2. "BIODATA". SUARA TV. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  3. "Veveonah Quits Social Media After False Accusations From Minister: The minister accused her of lying about her examinations for fame". The Rakyat Post. 7 September 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  4. "Minister apologises to 'tree girl' Veveonah for inaccurate remark". New Strait Times. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  5. "Zahidi says Kudat MP told him Veveonah did not have exams on day she uploaded video". The Star. 7 September 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  6. "Veveonah was having her exams at time of video, confirms UMS". The Star. 8 September 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  7. "Zahidi's academic credentials under spotlight after Veveonah jibe". MalaysiaKini. 8 September 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  8. "Pitas rep pushing for fast-tracking of 13 new telco towers in district". The Star. 12 October 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  9. "Controversial Deputy Communications Minister Is Covid-19 Positive". The Rakyat Post. 13 January 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  10. "Keputusan Pilihan Raya Umum Parlimen/Dewan Undangan Negeri". Election Commission of Malaysia. Retrieved 14 April 2010. Percentage figures based on total turnout.
  11. "The Malacca Yang Di-Pertua Negri's Birthday Honours List". The Star. 12 October 2003. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
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