Mohamed Fadzli Hassan

Summary

Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan (born 12 July 1968) is a PAS politician and Islamic law academic who has represented the Temangan state constituency in Kelantan since 2008 and serves as Deputy Menteri Besar of Kelantan since August 2023. A graduate of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and former lecturer at its law faculty, he is regarded as the technocratic figure in Kelantan's current leadership pairing. He has been a consistent advocate for the strengthening of Syariah court jurisdiction at the state and federal level.

Biography

Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli bin Hassan (born 12 July 1968 in Kelantan) is a Malaysian politician and academic who has served as the Deputy Menteri Besar of Kelantan since August 2023 and as the Member of the Kelantan State Legislative Assembly (ADUN) for Temangan since March 2008 [1]. He is a member of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), a component party of Perikatan Nasional (PN) [1]. Prior to entering elected politics, he served as an Assistant Professor at the Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) from 2002 to 2008, and concurrently as a Shariah Advisor at Standard Chartered Bank from 2005 to 2008 [2]. He is a noted alumnus of IIUM [1]. First elected to the Temangan state seat in March 2008, he was subsequently appointed as a state executive councillor [1]. He later chaired the Kelantan State Committee on Human Development, Education, Higher Education, Science and Technology [2]. Within PAS, he held the position of Deputy Commissioner III of PAS Kelantan and PAS Commissioner for Machang [3]. Following PAS and Perikatan Nasional's retention of Kelantan in the August 2023 state election, he was sworn in as Deputy Menteri Besar before Sultan Muhammad V on 15 August 2023 [4]. His appointment was part of a deliberate PAS strategy to pair a religious figure (Mohd Nassuruddin Daud as Menteri Besar) with a technocratic figure (Fadzli) in the state's leadership [5].

Known for

Mohamed Fadzli Hassan is known as a technocratic figure within PAS, combining a background in Islamic law academia and finance with frontline state politics. He is identified as a key driver of PAS Kelantan's push for the empowerment of Syariah courts, including the RUU355 bill [6]. He has held the second-highest executive position in Kelantan state government since August 2023 [4].

Political positions

Mohamed Fadzli Hassan has publicly advocated for strengthening the jurisdiction of Syariah courts in Malaysia, expressing in 2022 that the RUU355 amendment bill was progressing and would reach its conclusion, framing it as a matter of empowering Islamic law rather than purely political agendas [6]. He has argued that elements of Islamic criminal law — including qisas, takzir, and hudud — already exist within Malaysian statutes and require harmonisation rather than wholesale introduction [6]. He was previously identified with the Kelantan state committee overseeing human development, education, higher education, science and technology, indicating engagement with governance portfolios beyond Islamic affairs alone [2].

Education

1. Pre-2002Completed studies at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), graduating from its law faculty.⛓

Before politics

1. 2002–2008Served as an Assistant Professor (Penolong Profesor) at the Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).⛓
2. 2005–2008Served concurrently as a Shariah Advisor at Standard Chartered Bank.⛓

Political career

1. March 2008First elected as Member of the Kelantan State Legislative Assembly (ADUN) for Temangan in the 12th general election. Subsequently appointed as a Kelantan state executive councillor (exco).⛓
2. 2008–2023Chaired the Kelantan State Committee on Human Development, Education, Higher Education, Science and Technology during at least one term in office.⛓
3. Pre-2023Held positions of Deputy Commissioner III of PAS Kelantan and PAS Commissioner for Machang.⛓
4. August 2023Retained the Temangan state seat in the 15th Kelantan state election under the Perikatan Nasional banner.⛓
5. 15 August 2023Sworn in as Deputy Menteri Besar of Kelantan before Sultan Muhammad V at Istana Negeri, Kubang Kerian, alongside new Menteri Besar Mohd Nassuruddin Daud.⛓

Election history

• 2023Temangan (N34), KelantanWon⛓
• 2018Temangan (N34), KelantanWon⛓
• 2013Temangan (N34), KelantanWon⛓
• 2008Temangan (N34), KelantanWon⛓

Perspectives on key issues

• GovernmentPAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan described Mohamed Fadzli as part of a deliberate 'religious and technocratic' leadership pairing for Kelantan, with his nomination as Deputy Menteri Besar receiving PAS Kelantan's approval and subsequently the consent of Sultan Muhammad V.⛓
• VerifiedFactsMohamed Fadzli Hassan has retained the Temangan state seat in four consecutive elections (2008, 2013, 2018, 2023) and has served as Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar since August 2023. He is a confirmed alumnus of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and previously taught at its law faculty.⛓
• ExpertWan Ahmad Fayhsal, a senior PN MP, described Mohamed Fadzli as 'the best candidate, clean and of integrity' and noted his standing as an incumbent well-known and respected by voters in the Temangan area prior to the 2023 state election.⛓