Mohd Sharim Md Zain

Summary

Mohd Sharim bin Md Zain (born 13 March 1979) is the UMNO/BN Member of the State Legislative Assembly for Chini, Pahang, first elected in the July 2020 by-election with a majority of 12,650 votes and subsequently returned at the 2022 Pahang state election. A second-generation FELDA settler and former constituency youth leader, he came to politics through years of grassroots work alongside his predecessor assemblyman. In 2025 he was conferred the Darjah Indera Mahkota Pahang (DIMP), carrying the title Datuk.

Biography

Mohd Sharim bin Md Zain (born 13 March 1979) is a Malaysian politician and the Member of the State Legislative Assembly (ADUN) for Chini, Pahang, under the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition [1]. A second-generation FELDA settler from Felda Chini 3, he gained familiarity with local governance by serving as an officer to his predecessor, the late Chini assemblyman Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Harun [1]. Within the party, he holds the position of Committee Member of UMNO Pekan division and served as Youth Chief of UMNO FELDA Chini 3 Branch [1]. Prior to entering elected office, he was also the chairman of Majlis Belia Felda Wilayah Kuantan [2]. He first entered the state legislature through the 2020 Chini by-election, which was called following the death of Abu Bakar Harun on 7 May 2020 due to a heart attack [2]. Named as BN's candidate by Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail on 18 June 2020, Mohd Sharim won the by-election on 4 July 2020 with 13,872 votes and a majority of 12,650 — more than double the majority of his predecessor at GE14 [2]. He subsequently retained the Chini seat at the 2022 Pahang state election held on 19 November 2022 [1]. In 2025, he was conferred the Darjah Indera Mahkota Pahang (DIMP), which carries the title Datuk [3]. Chini is one of four state constituencies under the Pekan federal constituency, a predominantly Malay-majority seat with approximately 91% Malay voters [1].

Known for

Mohd Sharim is primarily known as the UMNO/BN assemblyman for Chini, a FELDA-dominated constituency in Pahang, first elected through the high-profile 2020 Chini by-election where he secured a majority of 12,650 votes [2]. He is identified as a second-generation FELDA settler who previously served as an officer and youth leader under his predecessor assemblyman, and as chairman of Majlis Belia Felda Wilayah Kuantan [2]. As Chini assemblyman, he has been active in constituency-level economic and digital development programmes, including the 2024 launch of the Cashless @ NADI Felda Chini Timur 2 programme [2].

Political positions

Based on sourced reporting, Mohd Sharim has publicly aligned with the Barisan Nasional–Muafakat Nasional framework during the 2020 by-election, expressing gratitude for cooperation from both UMNO and PAS machinery under that coalition structure [2]. At the Pahang State Assembly in May 2024, he was among the government representatives who supported the motion to appoint five unelected assemblymen under a constitutional provision passed in November 2020, which increased the total assembly membership from 42 to 47 [4]. On constituency development, he has championed digital economic inclusion, stating in September 2024 that the Cashless @ NADI initiative aligns with the state government's Pahang Digital Plan (2021–2025) to create a conducive and integrated digital ecosystem, and has promoted cashless adoption among FELDA settlers and rural small traders [2]. No sourced positions were found on issues such as education, healthcare policy, or national legislative matters beyond his state assembly role.

Before politics

1. Pre-2020Served as an officer to Chini assemblyman Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Harun, gaining familiarity with constituency affairs. Also served as chairman of Majlis Belia Felda Wilayah Kuantan and as Youth Chief of UMNO FELDA Chini 3 Branch.⛓

Political career

1. Pre-2020Held the position of Committee Member of UMNO Pekan division.⛓
2. 18 June 2020Named as Barisan Nasional's candidate for the Chini state by-election by Pahang BN chief Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.⛓
3. 4 July 2020Won the 2020 Chini by-election with 13,872 votes and a majority of 12,650, defeating two independent candidates. The by-election was called following the death of incumbent Abu Bakar Harun.⛓
4. 19 November 2022Retained the Chini state seat at the 2022 Pahang state election held as part of the 15th Malaysian general election.⛓
5. May 2024Voted in favour of a motion at the Pahang State Assembly to appoint five unelected assemblymen under a 2020 constitutional amendment, increasing total assembly membership from 42 to 47.⛓
6. 26 September 2024Launched the Cashless @ NADI Felda Chini Timur 2 programme, promoting digital payment adoption among FELDA settlers and rural small traders in the constituency.⛓

Election history

• 2022ChiniWon⛓
• 2020Chini (by-election)Won⛓

Perspectives on key issues

• GovernmentPahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail described Mohd Sharim as a local who knows the Chini community well and was the right choice as BN candidate, having worked closely with the late assemblyman Abu Bakar Harun.⛓
• GovernmentPahang Mentri Besar Wan Rosdy credited the fielding of Mohd Sharim as a young candidate as a key factor in BN's landslide victory, noting that 55 per cent of Chini constituents are young voters aged between 21 and 39.⛓
• ExpertA lecturer at USM's Centre for Policy Research and International Studies assessed that BN's increased majority in the 2020 Chini by-election was driven by the effectiveness of the BN-PAS machinery working systematically under the Muafakat Nasional cooperation.⛓
• OppositionFree Malaysia Today reported that opposition assemblymen cried foul after Mohd Sharim and other government representatives voted to support the appointment of five unelected assemblymen to the Pahang State Assembly in May 2024.⛓
• VerifiedFactsMohd Sharim won the 2020 Chini by-election with 13,872 votes and a majority of 12,650, as officially announced by Returning Officer Datuk Zaliza Zulkipli. Both independent challengers lost their deposits.⛓