Ahmad Faizal Azumu


Ahmad Faizal bin Azumu is a Malaysian politician. He is the twelfth and thirteen Menteri Besar of Perak. Ahmad Faizal is also the Member of Parliament for the Tambun constituency in Perak and the Perak State Legislative Assemblyman for the seat of Chenderiang concurrently. He is a member of Malaysian United Indigenous Party or Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia and ex-chairman of the Pakatan Harapan coalition in Perak. He was one of two Menteri Besar in Malaysia has ruled in two different political coalitions.

Background and education

Ahmad Faizal was born in Ipoh, Perak. He received his primary education at Cator Avenue School, Ipoh and had his secondary education at Anderson School, Ipoh. He pursued a Business Studies degree from Edith Cowan University in Perth, Australia, but he did not complete the course.

Personal life

Ahmad Faizal is married to Dr Nomee Ashikin Mohammed Radzi and has two children. His sister-in-law who is Dr Nomee's younger sister; Nolee Ashilin Mohamed Radzi is the UMNO turned independent and later BERSATU Perak State Legislative Assemblywoman for the constituency of Tulang Sekah since 2008.

Political career

He began his political career as a Special Officer to Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai between 2011 and 2013 before becoming Senior Special Officer to Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir between 2013 and 2016. He is also formerly served in the Department of Special Affairs.
He was the former United Malays National Organisation Ipoh Barat Youth chief before he became Perak BERSATU chairman. He was subsequently named Perak Pakatan Harapan chairman in August 2017.

Controversies

In many occasions Ahmad Faizal was reported to have pursued a Business Studies degree from Edith Cowan University in Perth, Australia. He however admitted and confessed that he did not complete the course.
Ahmad Faizal has been very critical of the Orang Asli indigenous tribes ever since he took office as Menteri Besar. On 23 November 2018, Ahmad Faizal made a statement that the Orang Asli should improve themselves before asking for aid. On 29 July 2019 Ahmad Faizal claimed that there is no definition or recognition of ancestral or customary land for Orang Asli under the state constitution. It was refuted by fellow PH's MP, Ramkarpal Singh and the Malaysian Bar. During his administration, many Orang Asli residents were arrested for protesting over the state government's decision to acquire their land for logging activities.

Election results

Honours