Mohamad Abdul Hamid

Summary

Datuk Dr. Mohamad bin Abdul Hamid is a Malaysian academic-turned-politician who won the Batu Maung state seat in the 2023 Penang state election on his electoral debut, representing PKR under the Pakatan Harapan coalition. He was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister I of Penang on 16 August 2023 and concurrently chairs the state committee on Islamic Development, Education, Higher Education, and Cooperative Development. He also serves as PKR State Chairman for Penang and President of the Penang State Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP).

Biography

Datuk Dr. Mohamad bin Abdul Hamid is a Malaysian politician and academic serving as the Member of the Penang State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Batu Maung since August 2023 [1]. He represents the People's Justice Party (PKR) under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition and holds the position of PKR State Chairman for Penang [1]. Upon winning the Batu Maung seat in the 2023 state election — his electoral debut — he defeated Azahari Aris of Perikatan Nasional by a majority of 3,221 votes [1]. He was subsequently sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister I of Penang on 16 August 2023, at Dewan Sri Pinang before Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak [2]. In this executive role, he chairs the state committee on Islamic Development, Education, Higher Education, and Cooperative Development [3]. Prior to entering politics, Mohamad held a distinguished academic career and has served as Rector of the Penang International Islamic College of Technology (KITAB) since January 2020 [1]. He has also referenced past administrative experience at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and other institutions [4]. He also holds the Wikidata-recorded award of Officer of the Order of the Defender of State [5]. He additionally serves as President of the Penang State Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) [6].

Known for

Mohamad Abdul Hamid is known as Penang's Deputy Chief Minister I, making him the second-highest-ranking official in the state government under Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow [7]. He is also recognised as a first-term assemblyman who transitioned directly from an academic and institutional leadership background into senior elected office [1]. Within the Penang Pakatan Harapan administration, he is the leading PKR figure overseeing Islamic affairs, education, and higher education policy at the state level [4].

Political positions

As state EXCO chairman for Islamic Development, Education, Higher Education, and Cooperative Development, Mohamad has taken public positions on education policy, including clarifying that school caning remains permitted under Ministry of Education guidelines and must follow prescribed procedures [8]. On Islamic affairs, he has demonstrated a stance of managing public religious sensitivities — notably requesting the cancellation of a concert scheduled two days before Maulidur Rasul — while deferring to the Chief Minister's final authority on such matters [1]. Regarding the MACC investigation into the alleged misuse of zakat funds, Mohamad publicly stated full cooperation with the investigation and characterised allegations against him personally as politically motivated [9]. He has also framed his constituency agenda around an 'Agenda MANTAP' framework aimed at inclusive and structured development in the Batu Maung area [4].

Before politics

1. January 2020Appointed as Rector of the Penang International Islamic College of Technology (KITAB).⛓
2. Pre-2023Held administrative and academic roles at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and other higher education institutions, building experience in management and finance.⛓

Political career

1. 23 July 2023Announced as PKR's candidate for the Batu Maung state seat ahead of the 2023 Penang state election.⛓
2. August 2023Won the Batu Maung state seat in the 2023 Penang state election on his electoral debut, defeating Azahari Aris of Perikatan Nasional by a majority of 3,221 votes.⛓
3. 16 August 2023Sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister I of Penang and member of the Penang State Executive Council (EXCO), overseeing the committee on Islamic Development, Education, Higher Education, and Community Unity.⛓
4. March 2026Following a minor cabinet reshuffle in the Penang state government, his portfolio was adjusted to Islamic Development, Education, Higher Education, and Cooperative Development, while remaining Deputy Chief Minister I.⛓

Election history

• 2023Batu Maung (Penang State)Won40.1%⛓

Perspectives on key issues

• GovernmentMohamad was appointed Deputy Chief Minister I by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and retained in the role through a minor cabinet reshuffle in March 2026, with his portfolio restructured to include Cooperative Development.⛓
• OppositionAccording to Free Malaysia Today, PAS called for Mohamad to resign from the Deputy Chief Minister post and all Islamic institutional positions amid the MACC investigation into alleged zakat fund misuse, with the Penang PAS information chief stating this was necessary to allow a transparent probe.⛓
• VerifiedFactsThe Star reported that Mohamad completed giving his statement to MACC over two days on 2–3 March 2026 as part of an investigation into alleged abuse of power involving the use of zakat funds to purchase land; MACC had summoned 63 individuals in total. No charges against Mohamad have been reported as of July 2026.⛓
• AffectedFree Malaysia Today reported that Mohamad and MAINPP sent letters of demand to four individuals — including political activist Chegubard and three Penang PAS leaders — for allegedly spreading defamatory claims about the management of zakat funds, demanding apologies and cessation of the allegations within seven days.⛓