Halimah Ali

Summary

Dr Halimah binti Ali (born 27 June 1960) is a PAS member and medical doctor serving as MP for Kapar, Selangor, since winning the GE15 seat in November 2022 under the Perikatan Nasional coalition with 34.7% of votes. She previously served as Selangor State Assemblywoman for Selat Klang (2008–2018) and as a Selangor State EXCO member under Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim (2008–2014). A PAS Central Committee member, she is known for her parliamentary engagement on public health, food security, and inter-community governance issues.

Biography

Dr Halimah binti Ali (born 27 June 1960) is a Malaysian medical doctor and politician serving as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kapar, Selangor, since November 2022 under the Perikatan Nasional (PN) banner representing PAS [1]. She was born in Marudi, Sarawak, and attended the Elizabeth Matriculation College in Hobart before completing her medical degree at the University of Tasmania [2]. She also holds a diploma in Islamic Studies (tasawwur) from Ilham [2]. Prior to entering electoral politics, she practised medicine at several public hospitals and clinics, including University Malaya Medical Centre, Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital in Klang, and the Klang Mother and Child Clinic, among others [2]. She is married to Dr Ahmad Supian, and together they have six children who are all medical practitioners [2]. She served as Member of the Selangor State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Selat Klang from March 2008 to May 2018, and as a member of the Selangor State Executive Council (EXCO) under Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim from March 2008 to September 2014 [1]. She also served as Chairperson of the Selangor Public Library Corporation (PPAS) and Chairperson of the National Unity Committee of PAS Selangor [1]. She is a member of PAS's Central Committee [3]. At GE15 in November 2022, she won the Kapar parliamentary seat under PN with 34.7% of votes, defeating incumbent PKR MP Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid by a majority of over 11,000 votes [4].

Known for

Dr Halimah is notable as a PAS Central Committee member and medical doctor who, unusually for an Islamist party representative, won the diverse and highly urbanised Kapar constituency — one of Malaysia's largest by electorate. She is recognised within PAS as a figure who speaks to concerns about public health, food safety, and national unity. She has also been a vocal participant in Dewan Rakyat debates on cost-of-living and governance issues, including the government's Menu Rahmah affordable food programme [5] and the administrative handling of houses of worship [6].

Political positions

Dr Halimah has publicly stated that PAS is a party for all Malaysians and is not analogous to the Taliban movement [7]. As MP for Kapar — a constituency with a substantial non-Malay population — she has positioned herself as a bridge between PAS and non-Muslim communities. In Parliament, she raised concerns about the nutritional quality and targeting of the government's Menu Rahmah affordable food programme, arguing that subsidised meals must not compromise nutrition standards [5]. On the issue of houses of worship built without approval, she called for an amnesty window for legalisation and described the matter as an administrative rather than religious issue, urging local councils to act without political interference [6]. She has also spoken in defence of PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang on at least one occasion when his public remarks drew criticism, stating she believed he did not intend to cause offence [8].

Education

1. Late 1970s–early 1980sAttended Elizabeth Matriculation College in Hobart, Australia, before completing her medical degree at the University of Tasmania.⛓
2. Date unknownObtained a diploma in Islamic Studies (tasawwur) from Ilham.⛓

Before politics

1. Pre-2008Practised medicine at University Malaya Medical Centre, Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital in Klang, Klang Mother and Child Clinic, Subang International Airport health office, and Petaling District Health Office.⛓

Political career

1. March 2008Elected Member of the Selangor State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Selat Klang under the Pakatan Rakyat coalition, and appointed to the Selangor State Executive Council (EXCO) under Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim.⛓
2. March 2008 – September 2014Served as Selangor State EXCO member under Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim. Also served as Chairperson of the Selangor Public Library Corporation (PPAS) and Chairperson of the National Unity Committee of PAS Selangor during this period.⛓
3. May 2013Re-elected as MLA for Selat Klang at GE13 under the Pakatan Rakyat coalition.⛓
4. May 2018Did not retain the Selat Klang state seat at GE14; her term as Selangor State Assemblywoman ended.⛓
5. August 2018Named as PAS candidate for the Seri Setia state by-election, contesting against Pakatan Harapan's Halimey Abu Bakar.⛓
6. 19 November 2022Won the Kapar parliamentary seat at GE15 under Perikatan Nasional (PAS), receiving 34.7% of votes (65,751 votes) and defeating incumbent PKR MP Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid by a majority of over 11,000 votes.⛓

Election history

• 2022Kapar (Parliament)Won34.7%⛓
• 2018Selat Klang (State)Lost⛓
• 2013Selat Klang (State)Won⛓
• 2008Selat Klang (State)Won⛓

Perspectives on key issues

• OppositionAs a PN opposition MP, Dr Halimah has consistently voted against and scrutinised Pakatan Harapan-led government programmes, including raising questions over the nutritional and targeting standards of the Menu Rahmah food subsidy initiative.⛓
• GovernmentA Dewan Negara senator, Datuk Ras Adiba Radzi, criticised Dr Halimah's parliamentary remarks associating Menu Rahmah food with health risks including autism, describing them as creating misunderstanding and as an insult to the disabled community, and called for the matter to be referred to the Committee of Privileges.⛓
• AffectedThe Autism Inclusiveness Direct Action Group (Aida) condemned Dr Halimah's remarks linking poor nutrition to autism as irresponsible and not based on scientific data, stating that the comments caused stigma to the autistic community.⛓
• OppositionDAP's Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong accused Dr Halimah of engaging in political theatre over her condemnation of the use of the term 'kafir' as an insult, suggesting the remarks were part of a broader PAS strategy to attract non-Malay voters.⛓
• VerifiedFactsDr Halimah won the Kapar parliamentary seat at GE15 (November 2022) with 34.7% of the vote (65,751 votes), defeating PKR incumbent Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid by over 11,000 votes. She is listed as an active Dewan Rakyat member on the official Parliament of Malaysia portal as of June 2026.⛓