Nor Zulaila Abd Ghani

Summary

Nor Zulaila Abd Ghani, 38, is a Muar-born DAP politician and the party's candidate for the N.40 Tiram state seat in the 2026 Johor State Election. She brings over 12 years of public service experience, most recently as private secretary to Deputy Finance Minister Liew Chin Tong, and has served as a Kajang Municipal Council councillor since 2018. She is DAP's first-ever candidate for the Malay-majority Tiram constituency, where polling is scheduled for 11 July 2026.

Biography

Nor Zulaila Abd Ghani, born approximately 1988 and aged 38 at time of writing, is a Muar-born public servant and DAP politician contesting the N.40 Tiram state seat in Johor's 16th State Election on 11 July 2026 [1]. She holds more than 12 years of experience across public service, community development and government administration [1]. Prior to her candidacy, she served as private secretary to Deputy Finance Minister Liew Chin Tong [2]. She has also served as a councillor with the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) since 2018 [1]. Earlier in her career she held roles as special officer to the Bangi Member of Parliament, constituency coordinator for Semenyih, and aide to the Serdang MP [1]. In a 2020 press conference recorded by The Star, she was identified in her capacity as an MPKj councillor advocating for drainage upgrades in Sungai Chua, Kajang [2]. Tiram is a Malay-majority seat under the PKR-held Tebrau parliamentary constituency, where Malay voters comprise approximately 60–63 percent of the electorate [3]. The 2022 state election was won by BN's Azizul Bachok with a 5,281-vote majority [1]. Nor Zulaila represents DAP's first-ever contest in the Tiram seat [4]. She is one of two Malay candidates fielded by DAP for the 2026 Johor election [5].

Known for

Nor Zulaila Abd Ghani is known as DAP's pioneer candidate for the Malay-majority Tiram state seat in Johor, making her the first DAP candidate to contest this constituency [4]. She is identified with a service-based political approach grounded in over a decade of parliamentary and local government work, including her role as private secretary to Deputy Finance Minister Liew Chin Tong [1]. She has publicly argued that voters assess candidates on sincerity and problem-solving ability rather than party affiliation or race [1].

Political positions

Nor Zulaila has publicly emphasised bread-and-butter issues as her core platform, specifically citing potholes, clogged drains, street lighting, job opportunities and the cost of living as the concerns that most affect Tiram residents' daily lives [1]. She has stated that DAP is a multicultural party and does not represent any single race, and that Pakatan Harapan is similarly a multiracial coalition [1]. She has also signalled an interest in quality development for Tiram that generates well-paying employment and creates opportunities for local residents [1][6]. No detailed positions on federal-level policy have been reported in available sources at the time of profile compilation.

Before politics

1. 2018Appointed as a councillor with the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj), a role she held continuously up to her candidacy announcement in June 2026.⛓
2. Prior to 2020Served as special officer to the Bangi Member of Parliament, and separately as constituency coordinator for Semenyih and aide to the Serdang MP.⛓
3. February 2020In her capacity as Bangi MP special officer, participated in the handover of tablets to SMK Bandar Tun Hussein Onn 2 in Cheras as part of the state government's Projek Mesra Rakyat initiative.⛓
4. October 2020In her capacity as MPKj councillor, announced plans for a drainage upgrade along Jalan Berjaya 10, Sungai Chua, Kajang to resolve recurring flash floods.⛓
5. Post-2022Appointed as private secretary to Deputy Finance Minister Liew Chin Tong.⛓

Political career

1. 20 June 2026Announced by DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke as the party's candidate for the N.40 Tiram state seat in the 16th Johor State Election. Her candidacy was confirmed as part of the full Pakatan Harapan slate announced by PM Anwar Ibrahim on 23 June 2026.⛓
2. 27 June 2026Nomination Day for the 16th Johor State Election; Nor Zulaila formally filed her candidacy for Tiram in a four-cornered contest against BN (Abdul Halim Suleiman), PN (Khirul Muntanazar Ismail), and Bersama (Harith Fakhrudin Abdul Malik).⛓

Election history

• 2026Tiram (N.40), JohorPending⛓

Perspectives on key issues

• GovernmentDAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke stated Nor Zulaila is 'the best candidate' for Tiram, citing her background as private secretary to the Deputy Finance Minister and expressing confidence she would secure voter support in the Malay-majority seat.⛓
• VerifiedFactsTiram is a Barisan Nasional stronghold where Malay voters make up approximately 63% of the electorate. BN won the seat in 2022 with a 5,281-vote majority in a seven-cornered fight. The 2026 contest is a four-cornered race between PH, BN, PN and Bersama.⛓
• VerifiedFactsThis is the first time DAP has fielded a candidate in the Tiram state seat. Nor Zulaila is one of two Malay candidates fielded by DAP in the 2026 Johor election.⛓