Mohd Salleh Saidin

Summary

Datuk Mohd Salleh bin Saidin is the BERSATU assemblyman for Kubang Rotan (N16) in Kedah and has served as the state EXCO chairman for Tourism, Culture and Entrepreneurship since August 2023, his first term in elected office. He is also the BERSATU Division Chief for Kuala Kedah and the chairman of Yayasan Salleh Saidin, a welfare foundation active in the Kuala Kedah area. His political profile gained added relevance in June 2026 when PAS ended its alliance with BERSATU, leaving his continued role in the Kedah state cabinet contingent on cross-party support arrangements.

Biography

Datuk Mohd Salleh bin Saidin is a Malaysian politician and the Member of the Kedah State Legislative Assembly (ADUN) for Kubang Rotan (N16) since August 2023 [1]. He is a member of the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU) and serves as the party's Division Chief for Kuala Kedah [1]. Following the 2023 Kedah state election, he was appointed to the Kedah State Executive Council (EXCO) under Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, heading the Tourism, Culture and Entrepreneurship Committee [2]. It was the first time Salleh Saidin had contested a state election [3]. Prior to his entry into elected politics, Salleh Saidin was associated with business activities and served as Chairman of Yayasan Salleh Saidin (YSS), a foundation conducting social welfare programmes in the Kuala Kedah parliamentary constituency [4]. As EXCO chairman, his portfolio has covered tourism promotion including Visit Kedah Year 2025, air connectivity, and issues affecting Langkawi as Kedah's primary tourism destination [5]. In June 2026, following PAS's decision to end political cooperation with BERSATU, Salleh Saidin was confirmed as one of two remaining BERSATU EXCOs in the Kedah state administration, with Menteri Besar Sanusi indicating both could retain their positions provided they continued to support the state government [6].

Known for

Salleh Saidin is known as the Kedah State EXCO chairman for Tourism, Culture and Entrepreneurship, overseeing key initiatives including the Visit Kedah Year 2025 campaign and Langkawi's tourism development [5]. He is also the BERSATU Division Chief for Kuala Kedah and the founding chairman of Yayasan Salleh Saidin, a philanthropic foundation active in welfare programmes in the Kuala Kedah constituency [2]. His position became politically significant in June 2026 when PAS ended its alliance with BERSATU, placing him at the centre of questions about coalition stability in the Kedah state government [7].

Political positions

Based on publicly reported statements, Salleh Saidin has consistently positioned himself as a proponent of tourism development and private-sector collaboration in Kedah. He has advocated for industry partners to align with the state government's tourism promotion goals, opposing unilateral actions — such as ferry fare hikes — that could deter visitors [5]. He has supported efforts to grow Langkawi's visitor numbers toward pre-pandemic levels and to improve transport connectivity, including welcoming direct airline routes to Alor Setar [5]. On community welfare, his foundation Yayasan Salleh Saidin has directed charitable support toward B40 households, single mothers, the elderly, orphans, and flood victims in Kuala Kedah [4]. No publicly sourced positions were found on federal legislative matters, as Salleh Saidin is a state assemblyman, not a Member of Parliament.

Before politics

1. Pre-2023Salleh Saidin established a business background and served as Chairman of Yayasan Salleh Saidin (YSS), a philanthropic foundation conducting welfare programmes in the Kuala Kedah parliamentary constituency.⛓
2. Pre-2023Served as Secretary of the BERSATU Kuala Kedah Division prior to contesting the 2023 state election.⛓

Political career

1. 12 August 2023Won the N16 Kubang Rotan seat in the 2023 Kedah state election under the Perikatan Nasional banner, receiving 45.7% of the vote (22,951 votes). This was his first state election contest.⛓
2. 21 August 2023Sworn in as a member of the Kedah State Executive Council (EXCO), appointed as chairman of the Tourism, Culture and Entrepreneurship Committee under Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.⛓
3. Post-August 2023Appointed as BERSATU Division Chief for Kuala Kedah.⛓
4. 9 June 2026Following PAS's announcement ending political cooperation with BERSATU, Salleh Saidin was confirmed as one of two remaining BERSATU EXCOs in the Kedah state administration. Menteri Besar Sanusi stated both could retain positions provided they supported the state government.⛓

Election history

• 2023N16 Kubang RotanWon45.7%⛓

Perspectives on key issues

• GovernmentMenteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor indicated that Salleh Saidin and fellow BERSATU EXCO Halimaton Shaadiah Saad could remain in the Kedah state cabinet following the PAS–BERSATU split, on condition they continued to support the PAS-led state administration.⛓
• VerifiedFactsSPR's official gazette confirms Dato' Mohd Salleh bin Saidin as the elected representative for N16 Kubang Rotan in the 2023 Kedah state election, sworn in on 27 September 2023.⛓
• IndustryMATTA (Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents) highlighted Kedah as 'Malaysia's Choice' for the April 2025 MATTA Fair, with Salleh Saidin present representing the state government in tourism promotion efforts.⛓

Business interests (publicly reported)

Sinar Daily reported that Salleh Saidin has a business background and is Chairman of the Salleh Saidin Foundation (Yayasan Salleh Saidin), which conducts social welfare and charitable activities in the Kuala Kedah parliamentary area (Source: sinardaily.my/article/205337; sinarharian.com.my/article/133150). No specific corporate directorships or shareholdings have been reported by allowlist sources.