Lidam Assan

Summary

Lidam Assan is the PBB/GPS state assemblyman for Katibas, Sarawak, elected in December 2021 after a 26-year career with Petronas and a stint as political secretary to federal minister Alexander Nanta Linggi. His public agenda centres on rural development — particularly NCR land utilisation, commercial agriculture, aquaculture, and improved infrastructure for remote longhouse communities along the Katibas River. No legal proceedings or asset declarations have been identified in publicly available allowlist sources.

Biography

Lidam Assan is the state assemblyman for Katibas (N.62), a constituency in Sarawak's Song district, representing Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) under the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition. He hails from Nanga Tengadak, Katibas, and was born approximately in 1965, placing him at age 56 at the time of the 2021 Sarawak state election [1]. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration (Honours) from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and a Master's degree in Business Administration from Heriot-Watt University, Scotland [1]. Prior to entering politics, he spent 26 years in the corporate sector, including roles as marketing manager with Petronas Carigali and Petronas Perdagangan at Sibu, before retiring in 2016 [2]. Before his election, he served as a political secretary to Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, then Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, and held a position on PBB's Supreme Council [3]. He was fielded as the GPS-PBB candidate for Katibas in the 12th Sarawak State Election on 18 December 2021, winning the seat with 4,198 votes (39.9% vote share) and a majority of 2,997 [4]. Since taking office, he has been active on infrastructure, agricultural development, and heritage preservation in the Katibas constituency [5].

Known for

Lidam Assan is identified with a platform of rural economic transformation in Katibas, centred on converting Native Customary Rights (NCR) land into productive agricultural and aquaculture ventures [1]. He is associated with championing the 'two zeroes' agenda — zero poverty and zero illiteracy — for his constituency's longhouse communities [1]. He also serves as patron of an initiative to document the history of 19th-century Katibas warrior Balang Balai Nyabung, reflecting an engagement with local heritage [6].

Political positions

Lidam Assan has publicly advocated for the transition of Katibas communities from traditional subsistence farming to commercial agriculture, including oil palm, liberica coffee, cocoa, and inland fish farming [1]. He supports the development of NCR land through proper surveying under the Sarawak Land Code (Amendment) 2018 as a prerequisite for economic empowerment [1]. He has supported the federal MADANI Adopted Village initiative for the Nanga Engkuah longhouse community in Ulu Katibas, which received RM4 million in infrastructure investment, including pedestrian bridges and solar lighting [1]. On education, he founded the Song Graduates Club (SGC) to support and organise local talent, reflecting a consistent emphasis on access to schooling for rural children [1]. He has publicly criticised the Kapit District Council's removal of a historically significant dabai tree in Song town, describing it as irresponsible destruction of local heritage and agricultural identity [3].

Education

1. Pre-1995Obtained a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration (Honours) from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM).⛓
2. 1999Graduated with a Master of Business Administration (Finance) from Heriot-Watt University, Scotland.⛓

Before politics

1. Approximately 1990–2016Spent 26 years in the corporate sector, including roles as marketing manager at Petronas Carigali and Petronas Perdagangan in Sibu, before retiring in 2016.⛓

Political career

1. Pre-2021Appointed as political secretary to Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, and served as a Supreme Council member of PBB.⛓
2. December 2021Contested and won the Katibas state seat (N.62) in the 12th Sarawak State Election under the GPS-PBB banner, securing 4,198 votes (39.9%) and a majority of 2,997.⛓
3. September 2023As Katibas assemblyman, visited and reported on the closure of the Sungai Musah bridge on Jalan Tekait-Musah due to soil erosion damage, coordinating with the State Public Works Department on next steps.⛓
4. May 2024Facilitated the selection of Nanga Engkuah longhouse village in Ulu Katibas as the Works Ministry's MADANI Adopted Village, with an initial allocation of RM2.5 million (later increased to RM4 million) for infrastructure projects.⛓
5. February 2025Announced and became patron of a two-year project to document the history of 19th-century Katibas warrior Balang Balai Nyabung, in collaboration with historians and the Song Graduates Club.⛓
6. December 2025Contributed RM1,000 per door to assist longhouse fire victims in his constituency, alongside Kapit MP Nanta Linggi, as part of a broader relief and rebuilding effort.⛓
7. March 2026Attended a Thanksgiving Dinner in Kapit alongside Kapit MP Alexander Nanta Linggi and fellow assemblymen, where Nanta signalled succession plans for the Kapit parliamentary seat.⛓

Election history

• 2021Katibas (N.62), Sarawak StateWon39.9%⛓

Perspectives on key issues

• GovernmentDatuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, GPS secretary-general and Kapit MP, publicly backed Lidam Assan ahead of the 2021 election, stating his belief that Lidam would win the Katibas seat comfortably, noting his strong community outreach during the movement control order period.⛓
• VerifiedFactsElection Commission results confirm Lidam Assan won Katibas in the 2021 Sarawak state election with 4,198 votes (39.9% share) and a majority of 2,997, in a six-cornered contest. Voter turnout was 61.7% of 10,530 registered voters.⛓
• PublicMalay Mail reported in July 2025 that Katibas residents shared Lidam Assan's disappointment after a historically significant dabai tree in Song town — which he had recently photographed and shared on Facebook as a symbol of local pride — was felled by workers believed to be from the Kapit District Council.⛓