TopicsPolitician AnalysisMohamad Yusoff @ Munir Zakaria

Mohamad Yusoff @ Munir Zakaria

Party
PAS · Malaysian Islamic Party
Coalition
PN
Constituency
Kuala Nerang
State
Kedah
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Why this matters to you

As Kedah EXCO chairman for Public Works, Water Supply, and Environment, Mohamad Yusoff directly oversees decisions that affect whether Kedah residents — including those in Langkawi — have reliable access to treated water, and how quickly flood-affected communities receive relief and infrastructure protection. His portfolio controls the allocation of state funds for road maintenance, water treatment plant upgrades, and flood mitigation projects worth hundreds of millions of ringgit, meaning his committee decisions shape the daily safety and living conditions of residents across Kedah's 36 constituencies. Residents in flood-prone areas such as Padang Terap and Kubang Pasu are most directly affected by his portfolio's performance.

Summary

Mohamad Yusoff bin Zakaria (Munir Zakaria) is a PAS politician and three-term ADUN for Kuala Nerang in Kedah, first elected in 1999 and most recently in 2023. Since November 2022, he has served as Kedah State EXCO chairman for Public Works, Natural Resources, Water Supply, Water Resources and Environment under Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor. His portfolio encompasses flood mitigation, water infrastructure, and road works — services that directly affect millions of Kedah residents.

Biography

Mohamad Yusoff bin Zakaria (also known as Munir Zakaria) is a Malaysian politician and member of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), a component party of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition [1]. He has served as Member of the Kedah State Legislative Assembly (ADUN) for Kuala Nerang since May 2018, and previously held the same seat in 1999 [2]. In November 2022, he was appointed as a member of the Kedah State Executive Council (EXCO) under Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, taking over the portfolio of Public Works, Water Supply, Water Resources, Irrigation and Drainage, and Energy from the outgoing ADUN Sungai Tiang [3]. The appointment received the assent of Sultan Kedah, Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah [3]. He was reported to be 58 years old at the time of his EXCO appointment in November 2022 [2]. He also holds the position of Deputy Chairman of PAS Padang Terap [2]. In August 2023, following PN's landslide victory in the Kedah state election, he was reappointed to the EXCO and retained his portfolio, which was subsequently styled as Public Works, Natural Resources, Water Supply, Water Resources, and Environment [4]. Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi noted that Mohamad Yusoff possessed experience in civil works and was trusted to oversee key ongoing projects including upgrades to five water treatment plants (LRA) and flood mitigation efforts [5].

Known for

Mohamad Yusoff @ Munir Zakaria is known as the Kedah state EXCO member responsible for public works, water supply, natural resources, and environmental management under the Perikatan Nasional state government. He is associated with overseeing flood mitigation projects and water infrastructure upgrades across Kedah, including addressing water supply crises in Langkawi. He has represented the Kuala Nerang state seat under PAS across multiple terms, with his first election to the seat in 1999 and subsequent returns in 2018 and 2023.

Political positions

As Kedah EXCO chairman for Public Works, Natural Resources, Water Supply, Water Resources and Environment, Mohamad Yusoff has focused on infrastructure delivery and disaster preparedness. He has publicly advocated for increased federal funding for flood mitigation in Kedah, noting that six projects worth RM512 million were underway and that the state had applied for a further eight projects amounting to RM898 million under the 12th Malaysia Plan's fifth Rolling Plan [6]. On water security, he has managed supply disruptions during dry spells, including the near-critical water level at Langkawi's Bukit Malut Dam in March 2024 [6]. He has also spoken on the need for public compliance with open burning regulations, citing over 1,000 cases in a single year [6]. His stated approach to public service, as reported at the time of his EXCO appointment, reflects a duty-centred outlook consistent with PAS values [2].

References

  1. [1]en.wikipedia.org
  2. [2]sinarharian.com.my
  3. [3]bernama.com
  4. [4]freemalaysiatoday.com
  5. [5]utusan.com.my
  6. [6]thestar.com.my

Political career

  1. 1999First elected as ADUN for Kuala Nerang under PAS. This was his first term as a state assemblyman.⛓
  2. May 2018Re-elected as ADUN for Kuala Nerang under PAS, returning to the state assembly after a gap following his 1999 term.⛓
  3. November 2022Appointed as Kedah State EXCO member with the portfolio of Public Works, Water Supply, Water Resources, Irrigation and Drainage, and Energy, replacing outgoing ADUN Suraya Yaacob. Took the oath of office before Sultan Kedah at Istana Anak Bukit.⛓
  4. August 2023Re-elected as ADUN for Kuala Nerang (N07) under PN-PAS banner in the 15th Kedah state election. PN won 33 of 36 seats statewide.⛓
  5. August 2023Reappointed as Kedah EXCO, retaining the portfolio of Public Works, Natural Resources, Water Supply, Water Resources, and Environment under the new Kedah state government formed after the 2023 state election.⛓

Election history

  • 2023Kuala Nerang (N07), KedahWon⛓
  • 2018Kuala Nerang (N07), KedahWon⛓
  • 1999Kuala Nerang (N07), KedahWon⛓

Stance evolution

Public statements grouped chronologically. The party tag shows which party the politician was contesting under at that point.

  1. 2024PAS
    • The floods have been the worst the state has experienced since 2010.

      Mohamad Yusoff commenting on severe flooding in Kedah in October 2024, as reported by The Star. · Source

  2. Undated
    • Don't wait for the water to reach chest level before panicking and calling the police, fire brigade, APM... with logistics that are quite limited, it causes problems when receiving many calls, so we ourselves have to be prepared.

      Mohamad Yusoff addressing flood preparedness during a Kedah State Legislative Assembly sitting, as reported by Bernama. · Source

Perspectives on key issues

  • GovernmentMenteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi noted that Mohamad Yusoff possessed experience in civil works and was trusted to manage key ongoing projects including upgrades to five water treatment plants and flood mitigation efforts when appointing him as EXCO in November 2022.⛓
  • VerifiedFactsMohamad Yusoff was confirmed as ADUN Kuala Nerang winner in the 2023 Kedah state election by the Election Commission, as published by FMT from the official SPR results.⛓
  • VerifiedFactsThe SPR official gazette confirmed Mohamad Yusoff bin Zakaria as a candidate for N.07 Kuala Nerang in the 2023 Kedah state election, with Rosli bin Jaffaar as his election agent.⛓

Sources

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