# Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz

Dato' Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz bin Syed Abdul Fasal (Jawi سيد أبو حسين بن حفيظ سيد عبدالفصل; is a Malaysian politician who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bukit Gantang since May 2018. He served as Chairman of the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) from May 2020 to December 2022. He was a member of the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU), a component party of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition and was also a member of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), a component party of the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition. Currently, he is an independent politician since his BERSATU membership ended on 12 June 2024.

## Political career
### Member of Parliament (since 2018)
#### 2018 general election

In the 2018 general election, Syed Abu Hussin made his electoral debut after being nominated by BN to contest for the Bukit Gantang federal seat. He was elected to the Parliament as the Bukit Gantang MP for the first term by a majority of 4,089 votes.
Later in the year, he resigned from BN and UMNO and became an independent.
In May 2020, Syed Abu Hussin was appointed the Chairman of LKIM.
In June 2020, Syed Abu Hussin joined PN and BERSATU.

#### 2022 general election

In the 2022 general election, Syed Abu Hussin was renominated by PN to defend the Bukit Gantang seat. He was reelected to the Parliament as the Bukit Gantang MP for the second term by an increased majority of 12,756votes.

#### Support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his government

On 28 November 2023, Syed Abu Hussin declared support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his government during Prime Minister's Question (PMQ) session in the Dewan Rakyat chamber. He became the fifth Opposition, PN and BERSATU MP to do so after Kuala Kangsar MP Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid, Labuan MP Suhaili Abdul Rahman, Gua Musang MP Mohd Azizi Abu Naim and Jeli MP Zahari Kechik. However, like the four MPs, he pledged loyalty to BERSATU and remained its member although supporting Anwar and his government. He also called on former Prime Ministers Muhyiddin Yassin and Ismail Sabri Yaakob to work with Anwar in developing the nation and realising the Malaysia Madani agendas as well as setting aside their political differences.
After his declaration of support, Syed Abu Hussin repeatedly claimed that more MPs would follow them and declare support for Anwar and his government. He also explained that he had made the decision as he felt sidelined by the BERSATU party leadership and it did nothing to help him in getting the government allocations for Bukit Gantang. He also expected the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) to leave PN and sever cooperation and partnership with BERSATU as PAS had a history of changing political partners shortly before a general election. Hence, he urged BERSATU to be prepared for it.
On 28 January 2024, Syed Abu Hussin became the first opposition MP in support of the government to be appointed to a government position after Anwar named Syed Abu Hussin to lead a committee under the National Action Council on the Cost of Living (NACCOL) and tasked him to coordinate efforts to handle the matters related to the cost of living.
On 29 February 2024, Syed Abu Hussin and Mohd Azizi expressed their willingness to vacate their seats and resign as MPs if the BERSATU party constitution amendment that was set to be tabled during the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of the party on 2 March 2024 required them to do so. Syed Abu Hussin also clarified that he was being paid as the Chairman of NACCOL committee and was offered the position by Prime Minister Anwar. However, Masjid Tanah MP Mas Ermieyati Samsudin responded that it would be unfair for Syed Abu Hussin, Mohd Azizi and other MPs who pledged support for Prime Minister Anwar and his government to vacate their seats and resign as MPs. She added that the amendments tabled should not act retrospectively.

## Election results

Parliament of Malaysia :
| Year | Constituency | Candidate | Votes | Pct | Opponent(s) | Votes | Pct | Ballots cast | Majority | Turnout |
| 2018 | P059 Bukit Gantang | Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (UMNO) | 22,450 | 39.48% | Khadri Khalid (BERSATU) | 18,361 | 32.29% | 57,867 | 4,089 | 82.82% |
| 2018 | P059 Bukit Gantang | Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (UMNO) | 22,450 | 39.48% | Idris Ahmad (PAS) | 16,052 | 28.23% | 57,867 | 4,089 | 82.82% |
| 2022 | P059 Bukit Gantang | Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (BERSATU) | 32,625 | 45.59% | Mohammad Sollehin Mohamad Tajie (UMNO) | 19,869 | 27.76% | 71,565 | 12,756 | 75.93% |
| 2022 | P059 Bukit Gantang | Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (BERSATU) | 32,625 | 45.59% | Fakhruldin Mohd Hashim (AMANAH) | 18,565 | 25.94% | 71,565 | 12,756 | 75.93% |
| 2022 | P059 Bukit Gantang | Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (BERSATU) | 32,625 | 45.59% | Mohd Shukri Mohd Yusoff (PUTRA) | 508 | 0.71% | 71,565 | 12,756 | 75.93% |

## Honours

* Malaysia :
** Recipient of the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Installation Medal
* Perak :
** Knight Commander of the Order of the Perak State Crown (DPMP) – Dato' (2010)