Rashidi Zinol

Summary

Datuk Rashidi bin Zinol is the UMNO assemblyman for Sungai Acheh, Penang, and has served as the sole Barisan Nasional member of the Penang State Executive Council since August 2023 — the first UMNO EXCO member in the state since 2008. He currently chairs the Rural Development, Agrotechnology, Food Security and Entrepreneurship committee following a portfolio reshuffle in March 2026. He won the Sungai Acheh seat in the 2023 state election with a majority of 124 votes, operating within the Pakatan Harapan-led unity government under Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

Biography

Datuk Rashidi bin Zinol is a Malaysian politician serving as Member of the Penang State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Sungai Acheh since August 2023 [1]. He is a member of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), a component party of the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition [1]. Following the 2023 Penang state election, in which the PH-BN coalition won 29 of 40 state seats, Rashidi was appointed to the Penang State Executive Council (EXCO) — becoming the sole BN representative in the state cabinet and the first UMNO member to hold a Penang EXCO post since 2008 [2]. He initially held the portfolio of Trade, Entrepreneurship and Rural Development [2]. In March 2026, following a minor cabinet reshuffle, his portfolio was restructured to Rural Development, Agrotechnology, Food Security and Entrepreneurship [3]. Rashidi won the Sungai Acheh seat in the 12 August 2023 state election with a narrow majority of 124 votes [4]. He represents one of only two BN/UMNO seats in the Penang state legislature, alongside Bertam MLA Reezal Merican Naina Merican [1]. His role places him as the principal bridge between UMNO/BN and the Pakatan Harapan-led Penang state government under Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

Known for

Rashidi Zinol is defined politically by his historic position as the sole UMNO representative in the Penang state cabinet — the first since BN lost control of the state in 2008 — operating within a Pakatan Harapan-led unity government [5]. He has focused his tenure on rural development, agrotechnology, food security, and entrepreneurship for Penang's farming, fishing, and small-business communities [3]. He has also been a vocal advocate for UMNO's continued relevance in a state where the party holds a historically marginal position [5].

Political positions

Rashidi has positioned himself as a representative of Malay and rural interests within a predominantly DAP-PKR state administration. He has publicly emphasised the alignment of his state portfolio with federal rural development priorities, noting that his role allows him to more effectively channel federal allocations for Penang's rural communities [2]. On the Silicon Island reclamation project, Rashidi stated in the Penang state assembly in May 2026 that fish landings in southern Penang had not declined due to the project, and he highlighted that 795 eligible fishermen had received RM11.85 million in ex-gratia payments under the Social Impact Management Plan [5]. He has also advocated for rebuilding BN's support base, particularly among youth voters, identifying weak youth support as a key challenge for the party in Penang [6].

Political career

1. 12 August 2023Won the Sungai Acheh state seat under BN (UMNO) in the 2023 Penang state election with a majority of 124 votes.⛓
2. 16 August 2023Sworn in as Penang State Executive Councillor — the sole BN representative in the EXCO and the first UMNO EXCO member in Penang since 2008 — holding the Trade, Entrepreneurship and Rural Development portfolio.⛓
3. 6 March 2026Portfolio restructured in a minor cabinet reshuffle: Rashidi transitioned from Trade, Rural Development and Entrepreneurship to Rural Development, Agrotechnology, Food Security and Entrepreneurship.⛓

Election history

• 2023Sungai Acheh (Penang State)Won⛓

Perspectives on key issues

• GovernmentChief Minister Chow Kon Yeow described Rashidi's agrotechnology and food security portfolio as crucial, noting that although Penang is a small state, the sector involved tens of thousands of farmers, breeders and food producers.⛓
• GovernmentAs of April 2026, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow confirmed that Penang's unity government remains stable, citing the continued participation of Rashidi Zinol — the sole UMNO assemblyman in the cabinet — as part of the administration's functioning coalition.⛓
• VerifiedFactsRashidi Zinol won Sungai Acheh in the 2023 Penang state election under BN (UMNO). He is one of only two BN/UMNO MLAs in the Penang state legislature, alongside Bertam MLA Reezal Merican Naina Merican. He is the first UMNO EXCO member in Penang since 2008.⛓
• VerifiedFactsIn March 2026, Rashidi's portfolio was restructured from Trade, Rural Development and Entrepreneurship to Rural Development, Agrotechnology, Food Security and Entrepreneurship following a minor cabinet reshuffle after the removal of Fahmi Zainol from the EXCO.⛓