Norhaslinda Zakaria

Summary

Norhaslinda Zakaria (born circa 1975, Kampar, Perak) is the BERSATU Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri for N52 Pangkor in Perak, elected for the first time at GE15 in November 2022 with a majority of 1,011 votes in a five-cornered contest. A former welfare NGO chairperson with no prior electoral experience, she holds the post of Exco Srikandi Bersatu and has been an active state assemblywoman, raising questions on coastal safety, child welfare, and public health in the Perak DUN. Her seat is currently the subject of seat-allocation negotiations ahead of the 16th General Election.

Biography

Norhaslinda Zakaria, born circa 1975 and aged 50 as of late 2025, is the Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) for N52 Pangkor in Perak, representing Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (BERSATU) under the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition [1]. She is a native of Lumut, Perak, and was originally from Kampar, Perak, with her highest academic qualification being the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) [1]. Prior to entering politics, she had no formal political background, but was active in civil society as the Chairperson of Pertubuhan Kebajikan Ukhuwah Masyarakat Prihatin Perak (Ukhuwah), a welfare NGO based in Perak [1]. She also has a self-described background in the tourism sector [2]. Norhaslinda contested the N52 Pangkor state seat for the first time at the 15th General Election (GE15) on 19 November 2022, standing under the PN banner [3]. She won with 8,507 votes (27.8% vote share), defeating four other candidates with a majority of 1,011 votes, in a five-cornered contest [1]. Within BERSATU, she holds the position of Exco Srikandi Bersatu [1]. As ADUN, she has been an active participant in the Perak State Legislative Assembly, raising questions on issues including child welfare, public health, tourism safety, and coastal environmental protection [4][2][3].

Known for

Norhaslinda Zakaria is known as a first-time politician who entered the Perak State Assembly in 2022 without prior electoral experience, having come from an NGO and tourism background [1]. She represents the N52 Pangkor constituency — a coastal, tourism-dependent seat in Manjung district — and has used her position in the Perak DUN to raise questions on child protection, public health, and the safety and regulation of the tourism industry [4][2]. She holds the post of Exco Srikandi Bersatu, the women's wing of BERSATU [1].

Political positions

Based on her DUN debate record, Norhaslinda Zakaria has focused her state assembly interventions on several areas. On tourism and the economy, she has flagged the decline of Lumut town as a tourist destination and called for action to revitalise it, while also raising concerns about outdated tourism facilities at Pangkor Island needing upgrading [1][2]. On coastal and maritime security, she has raised concerns in the Perak DUN about illegal foreign intrusion into national waters around Pangkor Island, arguing that such intrusions threaten the livelihoods of local fishermen and deplete marine resources [2]. On environmental protection, she has called for stricter enforcement against parties polluting beaches and seas in Manjung district, noting that in 2023 over 69 tonnes of waste were washed ashore along Teluk Batik Beach during tidal events [3]. On public safety, she questioned the state government regarding the regulation of tourism boat licences following a fatal boat-capsize incident at Teluk Batik in August 2023 [2]. On welfare and public health, she has posed formal questions on child abuse statistics in Perak and on influenza cluster trends affecting schoolchildren [4][2].

Education

1. Pre-1995 (approx.)Completed Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM); highest academic qualification recorded.⛓

Before politics

1. Pre-2022Served as Chairperson of Pertubuhan Kebajikan Ukhuwah Masyarakat Prihatin Perak (Ukhuwah), a welfare NGO in Perak conducting outreach to homeless persons and vulnerable communities.⛓
2. May 2021As Ukhuwah chairperson, led a welfare mission to assist 17 homeless residents at the Anjung Singgah YKN Perak centre in Ipoh, hours before Malaysia's Movement Control Order (MCO) came into force.⛓

Political career

1. November 2022Named as Perikatan Nasional (BERSATU) candidate for the N52 Pangkor state seat in Perak ahead of GE15, her first electoral contest.⛓
2. 19 November 2022Won N52 Pangkor at GE15 with 8,507 votes (27.8%), defeating four opponents with a majority of 1,011 votes, becoming ADUN Pangkor for the first time.⛓
3. Post-2022Appointed Exco Srikandi Bersatu (women's wing executive committee of BERSATU).⛓
4. December 2023Questioned the Perak state government in the DUN on tightening tourism boat licencing regulations following a fatal boat-capsize incident at Teluk Batik in August 2023.⛓
5. April 2025Raised a formal question in the Perak DUN on child abuse statistics in the state, prompting the state government to disclose 705 cases recorded in 2024.⛓
6. December 2025Questioned the Perak state government in the DUN on influenza cluster trends affecting schoolchildren across the state.⛓
7. February 2026Publicly highlighted a rare 'sea-parting' low-tide natural phenomenon at Pangkor Island occurring 2–4 February 2026, noting increased tourist arrivals during the Thaipusam holiday period.⛓

Election history

• 2022N52 Pangkor (Perak State Assembly)Won27.8%⛓

Perspectives on key issues

• VerifiedFactsNorhaslinda Zakaria won N52 Pangkor at GE15 (November 2022) with 8,507 votes and a majority of 1,011 in a five-cornered contest, per official election results reported by Utusan Malaysia and The Star.⛓
• GovernmentUtusan Malaysia (December 2025) reported that Norhaslinda has fulfilled her duties as ADUN despite having no prior political experience, citing her commitment as evidence that dedication can overcome the absence of a political background.⛓
• OppositionSinar Harian (March 2026) reported that PKR Cabang Lumut passed an emergency resolution at its 2026 Annual General Meeting formally requesting that the N52 Pangkor seat be allocated to PKR for the 16th General Election, citing the party's organisational strength in the Lumut parliamentary area.⛓
• PublicUtusan Malaysia (January 2026) reported a constituent, Norlinda Basri, expressing gratitude for Norhaslinda's school-supplies assistance programme for 112 orphans and asnaf in DUN Pangkor, saying the support was especially meaningful given her husband's health difficulties.⛓