Lim Siew Khim

Summary

Lim Siew Khim (DAP) is the three-term Member of the Penang State Legislative Assembly for Sungai Pinang, first elected in May 2013, and has served as a Penang EXCO member holding the Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Affairs portfolio since August 2023 [1]. She is the State Women Chief of PH and DAP of Penang and was the sole woman in the 2023 EXCO line-up [2]. Her public record centres on social welfare, childcare regulation, domestic violence response, and gender equality advocacy across Penang.

Biography

Lim Siew Khim (Chinese: 林秀琴; born 3 November 1970) is a Malaysian politician who has served as Member of the Penang State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Sungai Pinang since May 2013, representing the Democratic Action Party (DAP) [1]. She is a member of DAP, a component party of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, and formerly of the Pakatan Rakyat coalition [1]. She has held the Sungai Pinang seat across three consecutive state elections — 2013, 2018, and 2023 — making her one of DAP's longest-serving assemblypeople in Penang [1]). Following the August 2023 Penang state election, she was appointed as a Member of the Penang State Executive Council (EXCO) under Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, taking office in August 2023 [1]. She was also identified as the sole woman representative in the 2023 EXCO line-up [2]. Her EXCO portfolio covers Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Affairs [2]. Within her party, she serves as State Women Chief of PH and DAP of Penang [1]. Her constituency, Sungai Pinang, encompasses much of Jelutong, a suburb immediately south of George Town, as well as the coastal neighbourhood around Karpal Singh Drive [1]). In her EXCO role, she has been active on issues including childcare centre regulation, domestic violence intervention, women's welfare, homelessness, and the rights of Penang-born stateless residents (Sources: freemalaysiatoday.com; thestar.com.my; malaymail.com; malaysiakini.com).

Known for

Lim Siew Khim is defined politically by her long tenure as the Sungai Pinang state assemblyperson — a seat she has held continuously since 2013 — and her role as the sole woman in the Penang EXCO appointed in August 2023 [2]. She is also recognised as the State Women Chief of PH and DAP of Penang, and has focused her public work on social welfare, domestic violence reduction, childcare standards, and gender equality (Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lim_Siew_Khim; thestar.com.my; malaymail.com).

Political positions

Lim Siew Khim has consistently prioritised social welfare, women's rights, and community development. She has stated her commitment to focusing on women, youth, family and community welfare as well as development issues in Sungai Pinang [2]. In her EXCO role, she has taken positions on domestic violence, stating publicly that the issue affects all genders and calling for broader awareness beyond female victims [3]. She has pushed for expanded training programmes for domestic violence First Support Points (FSPs) in Penang, and announced plans to increase FSP numbers [4]. On childcare regulation, following the death of a four-month-old infant at a hospital-linked childcare centre in March 2026, she directed the state Welfare Department to intensify spot checks and enforce mandatory training requirements for caregivers [3]. On gender equality, she has cited the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report to call for urgent, cross-sector collaboration [3]. She has also responded to allegations regarding the Penang Citizenship Programme (PKPP), defending the programme as an assistance mechanism for Penang-born stateless residents rather than a citizenship-registration operation [5]. On ageing populations, she has noted that Penang is on track to become one of Malaysia's states with the largest elderly populations by 2040, and has called for continued attention to healthcare and welfare for senior citizens [6].

Political career

1. May 2013First elected as Member of the Penang State Legislative Assembly for Sungai Pinang under the DAP banner, defeating Gerakan's candidate among others.⛓
2. December 2013Co-opted as a member of the Penang DAP state committee following the party's state convention, alongside other assemblypeople and MPs.⛓
3. May 2018Re-elected as Sungai Pinang assemblyperson for a second consecutive term under the Pakatan Harapan coalition.⛓
4. August 2023Re-elected to Sungai Pinang for a third term in the 15th Penang state election, contested in a four-cornered fight against an independent, a Gerakan candidate, and a Parti Rakyat Malaysia candidate.⛓
5. August 2023Appointed Member of the Penang State Executive Council (EXCO) under Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, assigned the portfolio of Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Affairs; noted as the sole woman representative in the 2023 EXCO line-up.⛓

Election history

• 2023Sungai PinangWon⛓
• 2018Sungai PinangWon⛓
• 2013Sungai PinangWon⛓

Perspectives on key issues

• GovernmentLim Siew Khim was appointed EXCO with the endorsement of Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow's administration following the 2023 state election, and has defended state social welfare policies at press conferences and in the state assembly, including on childcare enforcement and domestic violence response.⛓
• OppositionIn the 2023 election, Lim faced a four-cornered contest in Sungai Pinang that included Gerakan and Parti Rakyat Malaysia candidates, reflecting continued opposition interest in the seat.⛓
• PublicResidents in the Sungai Pinang and Bandar Sri Pinang areas have engaged with Lim on infrastructure and environmental concerns, including the RM1 billion Jelutong landfill rehabilitation project, where community groups raised concerns about a lack of Environmental Impact Assessment approval; Lim stated she had held multiple engagement sessions with residents, consultants, and the Penang Island City Council.⛓
• VerifiedFactsLim Siew Khim has held the Sungai Pinang state seat continuously since May 2013 across three elections. She was confirmed as the sole woman in the 2023 Penang EXCO. Her portfolio is Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Affairs. No charges or convictions against her personally have been reported by credible sources.⛓