From activist to education minister, Fadhlina is all ears

 

Fadhlina Sidek’s experience as an activist and lawyer in Islamic family law and child welfare is seen by many as an asset to help her in discharging her duties. (Facebook pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: New education minister Fadhlina Sidek aims to use her vast experience as a social activist and lawyer to tackle major issues at the ministry, saying she will lend her ear to all stakeholders.

She said she will establish an advisors’ committee to identify and tackle major issues at the ministry, in addition to rearranging plans to improve the country’s education system.

“I will listen to all stakeholders, including teachers, parents and students, as I am an education minister for all,” she told Bernama, adding that her experience as a social activist and lawyer would be very useful in this respect.

Fadhlina’s experience as an activist and lawyer in Islamic family law and child welfare is seen by many as an asset that will help her in discharging her duties as the minister.

Before being active in politics, Fadhlina, 45, who has her own shariah law firm, was engaged in creating legal literacy in Islamic family law, as well as child protection and safety.

Her political career began in 2020 when she joined PKR and was appointed the party’s women’s legal and community development bureau chairman, before she was elected the women wing’s leader in July this year.

She is also a senator, appointed on Sept 1 last year to represent the Penang state assembly.

A daughter of former Malaysian Islamic Youth (Abim) president Siddiq Fadzil, Fadhlina received her early education at Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Semenyih and completed her secondary schooling at Sekolah Agama Menengah Hulu Langat, Kajang, in 1994.

Fadhlina then continued her studies at the International Islamic University of Malaysia (UIAM), where she obtained her Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and LLB (Shariah) degrees in 2002.

In 2008, Fadhlina obtained a Master of Laws (LLM) from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

She is married to Fadzli Arsad and the couple has six children.

In the 15th general election, Fadhlina was fielded for the first time by PKR to contest in Nibong Tebal and defeated Mansor Othman of Perikatan Nasional (PN) with a majority of 16,293 votes.

Mansor won the seat in the previous election standing under the PKR ticket but left to join Bersatu in 2020 during the Sheraton Move. - FMT