Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir

Summary

Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir (born 1986) is the PKR Member of Parliament for Johor Bahru and has served as Malaysia's Minister of Economy since December 2025, after previously holding two deputy ministerial posts under the Unity Government. Trained in actuarial science and economics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he built his pre-political career in public policy and civil society, co-founding the National Oversight and Whistleblowers Centre with Rafizi Ramli. He has held the Johor Bahru parliamentary seat for two consecutive terms since 2018.

Biography

Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir (born 16 September 1986), commonly known as Akmal Nasir, is a Malaysian politician and Member of Parliament for Johor Bahru, a seat he has held since May 2018 [1]. He is a member of the People's Justice Party (PKR), a component of the Pakatan Harapan coalition, and has served as Minister of Economy since 17 December 2025, following a Cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim [2]. Prior to this, he served as Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation from December 2023 to December 2025, and as Deputy Minister of Local Government Development from December 2022 to December 2023 [1]. Akmal received his early education in Johor Bahru before attending the Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK) from 1999 to 2003. He subsequently completed a preparatory year at the International Education College (INTEC) in Shah Alam before earning a bachelor's degree in Actuarial Science and Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 2005 to 2009, receiving Dean's List recognition in his third year [3]. Before entering electoral politics, he served as a research officer at the Selangor Economic Adviser's Office under Anwar Ibrahim, and also served as chief research officer at Invoke. He co-founded the National Oversight and Whistleblowers Centre (NOW) with Rafizi Ramli, an NGO focused on public accountability and financial transparency [4]. He first assumed the position of Johor Bahru PKR branch head in 2014 and served as the 4th Youth Chief of PKR from November 2018 to July 2022 [5]. He holds a seat on PKR's Central Leadership Council for the 2025–2028 term [6].

Known for

Akmal Nasrullah is known as one of PKR's more technocratic figures, with a background in actuarial science and economics applied to public policy roles spanning local government, energy transition, and the national economy [7]. He rose to prominence in 2018 by defeating Umno veteran Tan Sri Shahrir Samad in the Johor Bahru parliamentary seat, described as one of the most significant electoral upsets of the 14th General Election [8]. He co-founded the National Oversight and Whistleblowers Centre (NOW) with Rafizi Ramli, an organisation linked to exposing national financial scandals during the previous administration [1].

Political positions

As Minister of Economy since December 2025, Akmal Nasrullah has publicly committed to accelerating Malaysia's economic restructuring, including the transition to renewable energy to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, and has overseen Malaysia's engagement with Arm Holdings to advance local semiconductor chip design capabilities under the 13th Malaysia Plan [6]. He has stated that Malaysia must move beyond back-end semiconductor packaging into front-end chip design and IP creation, with a target to produce chips labelled 'Made by Malaysia' within three years [6]. On energy policy, he previously supported cross-border renewable energy exports and Malaysia's alignment with the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation, including regional energy trading initiatives such as the LTMS-PIP [6]. During his tenure as Deputy Minister of Local Government Development, he highlighted the prevalence of sick and abandoned housing projects nationwide and led efforts to revive them through task forces and direct negotiations with relevant agencies [6]. He has also consistently emphasised the importance of domestic investor confidence alongside foreign investment in sustaining Malaysia's economic growth [9].

Education

1. 1999–2003Attended Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK).⛓
2. 2004Completed preparatory year at the International Education College (INTEC), Shah Alam.⛓
3. 2005–2009Earned bachelor's degree in Actuarial Science and Economics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, United States; received Dean's List award in third year.⛓

Before politics

1. Pre-2018Served as chief research officer at Invoke and as a research officer at the Selangor Economic Adviser's Office under Anwar Ibrahim.⛓
2. Pre-2018Co-founded the National Oversight and Whistleblowers Centre (NOW) with Rafizi Ramli, an NGO focused on public accountability and whistleblower protection.⛓

Political career

1. 2014First assumed the position of Johor Bahru PKR branch head.⛓
2. May 2018Won the Johor Bahru parliamentary seat at the 14th General Election (GE14) under Pakatan Harapan, defeating UMNO incumbent Tan Sri Shahrir Samad with a majority of 19,782 votes.⛓
3. November 2018Elected as the 4th Youth Chief (Ketua AMK) of PKR, a post he held until July 2022.⛓
4. November 2022Retained the Johor Bahru parliamentary seat at the 15th General Election (GE15) under Pakatan Harapan, with a majority of 16,041 votes in a four-cornered contest.⛓
5. December 2022Appointed Deputy Minister of Local Government Development under Minister Nga Kor Ming in the Unity Government cabinet.⛓
6. December 2023Appointed Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation under Minister Fadillah Yusof following a cabinet reshuffle.⛓
7. December 2025Sworn in as Minister of Economy following a cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim; succeeded his former mentor in the role.⛓

Election history

• 2022Johor BahruWon31.7%⛓
• 2018Johor BahruWon49.4%⛓

Perspectives on key issues

• GovernmentAkmal Nasrullah, as Economy Minister, has stated that Malaysia's economy will continue to grow in 2026 despite geopolitical headwinds, citing record-high approved investments of RM426.7 billion in 2025 and Bank Negara's GDP growth forecast of 4–5% for 2026.⛓
• OppositionMalay Mail reported that critics of the government questioned Akmal's appointment as Economy Minister, asking whether he has sufficient experience to handle a ministry responsible for crucial policies with a direct impact on livelihoods.⛓
• VerifiedFactsThe Star's official GE14 and GE15 election results confirm Akmal Nasrullah won Johor Bahru in 2018 with 49.4% of the vote (majority 19,782) and in 2022 with 31.7% (majority 16,041) in a four-cornered contest.⛓
• IndustrySinar Daily reported that Akmal's appointment as Economy Minister is seen as a natural progression for a leader whose political identity is rooted in oversight, data-driven policy and financial governance.⛓