Lee Kim Shin

Summary

Lee Kim Shin (born 28 February 1950) is a SUPP politician and the long-serving Member of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly for Senadin, a seat he has held without interruption since 1996. Since August 2019, he has served as Sarawak Minister of Transport under Premier Abang Johari, overseeing the state's aviation sector including the establishment of AirBorneo. He is also a vice-president of SUPP within the ruling GPS coalition.

Biography

Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin (born 28 February 1950) is a Sarawak politician and Member of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Senadin, a seat he has held since September 1996 [1]. He is a member of the Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP), a component party of the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition [1]. Lee holds a Bachelor of Social Science (Hons) from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and was conferred a Doctor of Letters honoris causa from Curtin University, Western Australia [1]. Since August 2019, he has served as Sarawak Minister of Transport in the GPS administration under Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Abdul Rahman Johari Abang Openg [1]. Prior to his ministerial role, Lee served in various assistant ministerial capacities, including as Sarawak Assistant Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister [2][3] and as Assistant Infrastructure, Development and Communications Minister [2][4]. He is also a vice-president of SUPP [2][4]. First elected in 1996, Lee has successfully defended the Senadin seat six consecutive times. In the 2016 Sarawak state election, he won with a majority of 3,538 votes [5]. In the 2021 state election, he defended the Senadin seat for the sixth consecutive term [6][7]. As Transport Minister, Lee has overseen major transport policy developments in Sarawak, including the state government's acquisition of MASwings operations through AirBorneo [8][9] and proposals to revive rural air services [2][10].

Known for

Lee Kim Shin is known as a long-serving assemblyman for Senadin, having held the seat continuously since 1996 through six consecutive election victories [1]. As Sarawak Minister of Transport since August 2019, he has been the key political figure overseeing Sarawak's civil aviation policy, including the state-owned AirBorneo airline and rural air connectivity [8]. He is also a vice-president of SUPP within the GPS coalition [2][4].

Political positions

As Sarawak Minister of Transport, Lee Kim Shin has articulated positions focused on improving air connectivity for Sarawak's population. He has advocated for reviving rural air services between Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri under a public service obligation framework to make domestic travel more affordable [2][10]. He has supported the development of AirBorneo following the state government's acquisition of MASwings operations, emphasising the importance of stabilising existing rural air service routes before expanding to regional destinations [11][12]. Lee has also promoted Sarawak's sustainable transport agenda, including the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) hydrogen-powered autonomous rapid transit project, and has engaged with international partners on green transport cooperation [11][13]. At the constituency level, he has emphasised development, welfare, education, transport and religious initiatives in Senadin [6][7].

Education

1. Pre-1996Graduated from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) with a Bachelor of Social Science (B.Soc.Sc.) (Hons).⛓
2. Post-graduationConferred a Doctor of Letters honoris causa from Curtin University, Western Australia.⛓

Political career

1. September 1996First elected as Member of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly for Senadin under the SUPP/BN ticket.⛓
2. 2011Re-elected for Senadin in the 10th Sarawak state election, defeating PKR's Michael Teo by 58 votes.⛓
3. May 2016Re-elected for Senadin in the 11th Sarawak state election under the BN ticket with a majority of 3,538 votes, defeating Dr Bob Baru Langub of DAP and Philemon John Edan of PBDSB.⛓
4. Pre-2016Served as Sarawak Assistant Infrastructure, Development and Communications Minister prior to dissolution of the state assembly in April 2016.⛓
5. 2018Served as Sarawak Assistant Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister.⛓
6. August 2019Appointed Sarawak Minister of Transport in the GPS administration under Premier Abang Johari.⛓
7. December 2021Re-elected for Senadin for the sixth consecutive term in the 12th Sarawak state election under the GPS ticket, in a five-cornered contest.⛓
8. January 2026Oversaw the completion of the Sarawak government's acquisition of MASwings operations through AirBorneo Holdings Sdn Bhd.⛓

Election history

• 2021SenadinWon⛓
• 2016SenadinWon⛓
• 2011SenadinWon⛓
• 2006SenadinWon⛓
• 2001SenadinWon⛓
• 1996SenadinWon⛓

Perspectives on key issues

• VerifiedFactsLee Kim Shin has served as MLA for Senadin continuously since September 1996, making him one of Sarawak's longest-serving state assemblymen. He has been Sarawak Minister of Transport since August 2019 and is a vice-president of SUPP.⛓
• PublicMalay Mail reported that a delivery service employee in Senadin noted significant changes in road facilities under Lee's tenure, while a grocery store employee said Lee's efforts in helping the community during the Covid-19 pandemic were undeniable.⛓
• OppositionIn the 2021 state election, PSB candidate Lee Tze Ha (Suzanne Lee) highlighted that despite Senadin's overall modern development, some residents still lacked access to clean water, electricity and adequate infrastructure, according to Bernama.⛓