Nicole Tan Lee Koon

Summary

Nicole Tan Lee Koon (DAP) is the two-term Assemblyman for Bukit Kepayang, Negeri Sembilan, first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2023, and currently serves as a member of the Negeri Sembilan State EXCO chairing the Tourism, Arts and Culture Committee. A trained lawyer with reported experience of approximately 25 years in the legal field, she has championed social welfare initiatives including a transit home for the homeless, a state food bank, and a RM1.6 million women's empowerment programme. She is also the Women Chief of Negeri Sembilan Pakatan Harapan.

Biography

Nicole Tan Lee Koon is a Malaysian politician and lawyer who has served as Member of the Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Bukit Kepayang since May 2018, and as a Member of the Negeri Sembilan State Executive Council (EXCO) in the Pakatan Harapan (PH) state administration under Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun [1]. She is a member of the Democratic Action Party (DAP), a component party of the PH coalition [1]. A native of Seremban, she is reported to have approximately 25 years of experience in the legal field prior to and during her political career [2]. Tan made her electoral debut at the 2018 Negeri Sembilan state election, polling 18,668 votes and defeating Barisan Nasional's Mak Kah Keong with a majority of 14,924 votes in Bukit Kepayang, a constituency that had been an opposition fortress since 2008 [3]. She was re-elected to the same seat at the August 2023 state election, again under the PH banner, picking up 18,526 votes — approximately 41 per cent of votes cast [4]. She currently chairs the Negeri Sembilan State Tourism, Arts and Culture Committee [5]. She was elected Women Chief of Negeri Sembilan Pakatan Harapan on 10 October 2020 [1]. Within her welfare and women's affairs portfolio, she initiated the Rumah Minda Ceria (RMC) transit home for the homeless and the Negeri Sembilan Food Bank in 2018, as well as the Power House Wanita Gemilang (PH GEM), a RM1.6 million initiative to empower women in the state across human rights, education, health, environment and socio-economy [1]. She also established the Kedai Muhibah Raya, a free-clothing initiative open to anyone in need [1]. Prior to her election, she served as a DAP Wanita National Executive Committee (NEC) member and was active on the DAP Negeri Sembilan State Committee [6].

Known for

Nicole Tan Lee Koon is known for holding the state Tourism, Arts and Culture portfolio in the Negeri Sembilan EXCO, championing Negeri Sembilan's cultural identity, and driving social welfare programmes including a transit home for the homeless and a state food bank. She has also become publicly associated with promoting Negeri Sembilan's traditional Adat Perpatih heritage attire, including the Kebaya Setengah Tiang [7]. As Negeri Sembilan PH Wanita chief, she oversees the Power House Wanita Gemilang (PH GEM) initiative, which directs RM1.6 million toward programmes to empower women across human rights, education, health, environment and socio-economy [1].

Political positions

Nicole Tan Lee Koon has publicly advocated for the expansion of legal protection for women, including calling for specific laws to cover sexual harassment beyond the workplace to encompass digital and telecommunication-based harassment [6]. In her tourism and culture role, she has called for the promotion of Negeri Sembilan's nine distinct cultural identities — including customs, architecture, traditional food, clothing, flowers, music, dance, songs, and traditional games — as a foundation for the state's tourism industry [5]. She has also pushed for structured tourism packages for different visitor segments and called on all nine districts to develop their own tourism products [8]. On welfare, she has supported integrated multi-agency approaches to addressing homelessness in the state, including psychiatric rehabilitation and job placement [9]. In March 2025, she withdrew from DAP's Central Executive Committee (CEC) election, stating support for party unity and secretary-general Anthony Loke's leadership direction [10].

Before politics

1. Pre-2018Practised as a lawyer with approximately 25 years of legal experience, and served as a DAP Wanita National Executive Committee (NEC) member and DAP Negeri Sembilan State Committee member prior to her election.⛓
2. December 2015As DAP Wanita NEC member, publicly called for specific laws on sexual harassment covering digital communications, and offered DAP Wanita's legal services to a defamation and harassment complainant.⛓

Political career

1. May 2018Elected as Assemblyman for Bukit Kepayang at the 14th Malaysian general election (Negeri Sembilan state polls), polling 18,668 votes and defeating BN's Mak Kah Keong with a 14,924-vote majority on her electoral debut.⛓
2. 27 June 2018Initiated the Rumah Minda Ceria (RMC) transit home for the homeless and the Negeri Sembilan Food Bank under her state welfare portfolio.⛓
3. 10 October 2020Elected as Women Chief of Negeri Sembilan Pakatan Harapan at the fourth Wanita PH Negeri Sembilan leadership council meeting.⛓
4. 12 August 2023Re-elected as Assemblyman for Bukit Kepayang (N21) at the 2023 Negeri Sembilan state election under the Pakatan Harapan banner, picking up approximately 18,526 votes (41 per cent of votes cast).⛓
5. 15 March 2025Withdrew from the DAP Central Executive Committee (CEC) election set for 16 March 2025, citing support for party unity and DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke's leadership.⛓

Election history

• 2023Bukit Kepayang (N21), Negeri SembilanWon41%⛓
• 2018Bukit Kepayang (N21), Negeri SembilanWon⛓

Perspectives on key issues

• VerifiedFactsNicole Tan Lee Koon has served two consecutive terms as Bukit Kepayang Assemblyman (2018–present) and holds a seat on the Negeri Sembilan State EXCO as Tourism, Arts and Culture Committee chairman. She is also the Negeri Sembilan PH Wanita chief.⛓
• GovernmentAs a member of the ruling Pakatan Harapan state administration in Negeri Sembilan, she is aligned with the PH-led state government under Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun and supports DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke's party leadership direction.⛓
• PublicThe Negeri Sembilan Traditional Attire Enthusiasts Association chairman noted that Nicole Tan is among representatives who frequently showcases garments reflecting Malaysia's identity, thereby encouraging others to wear traditional attire.⛓