Francis Harden Hollis

Summary

Datuk Francis Harden Hollis (born 25 August 1956) is the SUPP assemblyman for Simanggang in Sarawak, holding the seat for six consecutive terms since his first win in 1996 under Barisan Nasional and latterly under GPS. He has served in multiple Sarawak state government portfolios including community wellbeing, education, and land development, and holds the position of SUPP Treasurer. His most recent 2021 re-election was secured with a narrow majority of 175 votes over his nearest rival from Parti Sarawak Bersatu.

Biography

Datuk Francis Harden Hollis (born 25 August 1956) is the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) assemblyman for Simanggang, a state constituency in the Sri Aman parliamentary area of Sarawak [1]. He has held the Simanggang seat for six consecutive terms, first winning under the Barisan Nasional ticket in 1996 before subsequently contesting under the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) banner [2]. He is the son of veteran politician Hollis Tini, who himself served as the Simanggang assemblyman between 1974 and 1979 [1]. His academic credentials include a Diploma in Business Studies from Institut Teknologi MARA (1976–1979) and a Bachelor of Business Administration (Finance and Management) from the University of Walsh, Ohio, United States (1987–1988) [1]. Over his legislative career, he has held several executive appointments in the Sarawak state government, including as Assistant Minister for Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development and, following the December 2021 state election, as Assistant Minister II for Education, Innovation and Talent Development [3]. The Sinar Harian election profile, reflecting his most recent appointment, lists his portfolio as Deputy Minister for Land Development (Menteri Muda Kemajuan Tanah) [1]. He also serves as SUPP Treasurer [2]. In the 2021 Sarawak state election, he retained Simanggang with 3,954 votes (29.9%) and a majority of 175 votes over PSB's Wilson Entabang [4].

Known for

Francis Harden Hollis is known for his multi-term incumbency in the Simanggang state seat, which he has held continuously since 1996 — one of the longest-serving constituency representatives in the Sri Aman region [2]. He has served across multiple state government portfolios spanning community wellbeing, education, and land development [5]. In January 2022, his remarks to Iban community leaders regarding the government's payment of longhouse chiefs' allowances drew public criticism from federal opposition figures [6].

Political positions

Francis Harden Hollis has consistently aligned with the Sarawak ruling coalition, first under Barisan Nasional and subsequently under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS). He has publicly emphasised development delivery as the rationale for continued GPS support, particularly among the Chinese and Iban communities in the Simanggang area [2]. In January 2022, as Assistant Minister II for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, he was reported to have told a gathering of Iban community leaders in Sri Aman that the government paid their allowances and salaries, and that it was 'awkward and absurd' for longhouse chiefs who opposed the government to receive such payments — remarks that were subsequently criticised by opposition lawmakers as inappropriate [6]. He has also raised public concerns about drug abuse among school students in Sarawak, tabling a progress report on the One-Stop Committee to Address Drug and Substance Abuse (OSC MIDS) in his capacity as Community Wellbeing Assistant Minister [2]. He has advocated for improvements to dilapidated schools in rural Sarawak, accompanying the federal Education Minister on a site visit to schools in the Sri Aman area in October 2021 [2].

Education

1. 1976–1979Completed Diploma in Business Studies at Institut Teknologi MARA (ITM).⛓
2. 1987–1988Earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (Finance and Management) from the University of Walsh, Ohio, United States.⛓

Political career

1. 1996First elected as Simanggang assemblyman under the Barisan Nasional ticket, representing SUPP.⛓
2. 2001Re-elected as Simanggang assemblyman for his second term under Barisan Nasional (SUPP).⛓
3. 2006Re-elected as Simanggang assemblyman for his third term under Barisan Nasional (SUPP).⛓
4. 2011Re-elected as Simanggang assemblyman for his fourth term under Barisan Nasional (SUPP).⛓
5. 7 May 2016Re-elected as Simanggang assemblyman for his fifth term under Barisan Nasional (SUPP), winning in a four-cornered fight with a majority of 1,388 votes.⛓
6. 18 December 2021Re-elected as Simanggang assemblyman for his sixth term under GPS (SUPP), securing 3,954 votes (29.9%) with a majority of 175 votes over PSB's Wilson Entabang.⛓
7. December 2021Appointed Assistant Minister II for Education, Innovation and Talent Development in the Sarawak state cabinet following the 2021 state election.⛓
8. Post-2021Listed by Sinar Harian as Deputy Minister for Land Development (Menteri Muda Kemajuan Tanah) in the Sarawak state government.⛓

Election history

• 2021SimanggangWon29.9%⛓
• 2016SimanggangWon⛓
• 2011SimanggangWon⛓
• 2006SimanggangWon⛓
• 2001SimanggangWon⛓
• 1996SimanggangWon⛓

Perspectives on key issues

• OppositionBandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii criticised Harden's January 2022 remarks to Iban community leaders — in which Harden noted the government paid longhouse chiefs' salaries and allowances — as an 'insult' to community leaders, arguing that their salaries are funded by taxpayers and not any political party, and that equal allocations should be given regardless of political affiliation.⛓
• OppositionParti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB) president Bobby William, as reported by Malaysiakini, criticised Harden's remarks on longhouse chief salaries as reflecting 'political vendetta', asserting that community leaders have a democratic right to vote for whomever they choose.⛓
• VerifiedFactsIn the December 2021 Sarawak state election, Harden retained Simanggang with 3,954 votes (29.9%) and a majority of 175 votes — his narrowest winning margin across six terms — against PSB's Walsin @ Wilson Entabang who received 3,779 votes (28.6%).⛓
• GovernmentIn his capacity as Community Wellbeing Assistant Minister, Harden publicly raised concerns about a drug syndicate distributing narcotics free to school students in Sarawak to get them addicted, calling the situation 'worrying' and tabling a progress report on the state's anti-drug committee (OSC MIDS).⛓