Teh Swee Leong

Summary

Teh Swee Leong (born 13 May 1989) is a DAP politician and State Secretary of Kedah who has served as the assemblyman for Kota Darul Aman (N13) in the Kedah State Legislative Assembly since May 2018, winning re-election in August 2023 with a majority of 5,650 votes [1]. A former accountant, he is now the sole DAP assemblyman in a Kedah legislature dominated by the Perikatan Nasional coalition, functioning as part of a three-seat PH opposition minority [1]. He has consistently raised issues of private investment, public infrastructure, and racial harmony in relation to Kedah state government policies [2].

Biography

Teh Swee Leong (born 13 May 1989) is a Malaysian politician serving as the Member of the Kedah State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Kota Darul Aman (N13) since May 2018 [1]. He is a member and State Secretary of Kedah of the Democratic Action Party (DAP), a component party of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition [1]. Prior to entering politics, Teh worked as an accountant before leaving that career to serve his constituency [3]. He first won the Kota Darul Aman seat in the May 2018 general election under the Pakatan Harapan banner, defeating candidates from MCA, PAS, and PRM with a majority of 8,468 votes [4]. He successfully defended the seat in the August 2023 Kedah state election, securing 11,178 votes against Perikatan Nasional candidate Chua See Seng from Gerakan, with a majority of 5,650 votes [3]. Following the 2023 polls — in which PN won 33 of 36 Kedah state seats — Teh became the sole DAP MLA in the Kedah State Legislative Assembly [1]. As the only opposition assemblyman from DAP in a PN-dominated Kedah legislature, Teh operates as part of a three-seat PH minority bloc alongside PKR representatives for Bakar Arang and Sidam [5]. He has been an active voice on investment policy, public services, and governance matters in the state assembly [2].

Known for

Teh Swee Leong is known as the sole DAP assemblyman in the Kedah State Legislative Assembly following the 2023 state election, serving as part of a three-member PH opposition minority bloc in a legislature dominated by Perikatan Nasional [1]. He frequently engages the Kedah state government on issues of investment, public services, and governance, including challenging Menteri Besar Sanusi's positions on private investment and the Kedah-Penang historical study [2]. He also serves as DAP's State Secretary for Kedah [1].

Political positions

Teh Swee Leong has taken public positions on several state-level issues. On investment, he argued that Hyundai Motor's RM2.16 billion investment in Kulim demonstrated there was no deliberate plot to undermine private investment in Kedah, countering claims made by Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi [2]. On social policy, Sinar Daily reported that Teh urged the Kedah state government to reconsider its decision to ban gambling and lottery licences, arguing the move should be reviewed to maintain racial harmony and help control social problems — a position that drew a rebuttal from Kedah PAS Youth [6]. On governance, he has called on the Kedah state government to focus on basic issues including clean water supply, infrastructure, and the implementation of mega projects [7]. He has also criticised the Kedah government's study into the historical status of Kedah and Penang [8]. In the lead-up to the next state election, Teh stated that the PAS-PN political wave in Kedah is no longer as strong as portrayed, citing a changing political landscape and more discerning voters [7].

Before politics

1. Pre-2018Teh Swee Leong worked as an accountant before leaving that career to enter state-level politics and serve the Kota Darul Aman constituency.⛓

Political career

1. May 2018Teh Swee Leong was elected as the Member of the Kedah State Legislative Assembly for Kota Darul Aman (N13) under the Pakatan Harapan banner, defeating candidates from MCA, PAS, and PRM with a majority of 8,468 votes.⛓
2. August 2023Teh Swee Leong successfully defended the Kota Darul Aman seat in the 2023 Kedah state election, obtaining 11,178 votes against PN candidate Chua See Seng (5,528 votes) in a straight fight, with a majority of 5,650 votes. He became the sole DAP assemblyman in Kedah following this election.⛓
3. 2023–presentFollowing the 2023 Kedah state election, Teh Swee Leong serves as the sole DAP assemblyman in the Kedah State Legislative Assembly and as DAP's State Secretary for Kedah, operating as part of a three-seat PH minority opposition bloc.⛓

Election history

• 2023Kota Darul Aman (N13)Won66.9%⛓
• 2018Kota Darul Aman (N13)Won⛓

Perspectives on key issues

• GovernmentKedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has publicly responded to Teh's criticisms on multiple occasions, including hitting back at Teh for questioning the state government's study on the historical status of Kedah and Penang (NST, July 2024), and disputing Teh's claims about investment obstruction. Sanusi has also stated PN aims to win all 36 state seats at the next election, implying Teh's Kota Darul Aman seat is a target (Sinar Harian, June 2026).⛓
• OppositionAs the sole DAP assemblyman in Kedah and the party's State Secretary, Teh Swee Leong positions himself as a check on the PN state government, challenging its policies on investment, public services, gambling licences, and historical narratives. He frames his role as representing all residents of his constituency regardless of party affiliation.⛓
• VerifiedFactsTeh Swee Leong won Kota Darul Aman in both 2018 (majority: 8,468 votes) and 2023 (majority: 5,650 votes, obtaining 11,178 votes vs PN's 5,528). He is the sole DAP MLA in Kedah following the 2023 state election and serves as DAP State Secretary for Kedah. He is a state-level assemblyman (ADUN), not a federal Member of Parliament.⛓