Zakaria Deros Explained

Zakaria Md Deros
Assembly:Selangor State Legislative
Term Start:21 March 2004
Term End:8 March 2008
Predecessor:Tai Chang Eng
(BN–MCA)
Successor:Badrul Hisham Abdullah
(PR–PKR)
Majority:7,237 (2004)
Assembly2:Selangor State Legislative
Term Start2:29 November 1999
Term End2:21 March 2004
Predecessor2:Onn Ismail
(BN–UMNO)
Successor2:Norliza Ahmad
(BN–UMNO)
Majority2:2,698 (1999)
Birth Name:Zakaria @ Zainal bin Haji Md. Deros
Birth Date:28 September 1946
Party:United Malays National Organisation (UMNO)
Otherparty:Barisan Nasional (BN)

Zakaria bin Md. Deros (28 September 1946–11 March 2008) was a controversial politician in Malaysia. He was the former Pelabuhan Klang state assemblyman and Klang municipal councillor from year 2004 to year 2006.

Early life

Zakaria born on 28 September 1946 in Kuala Sungai Baru, Malacca.[1]

Political career

Zakaria, who was the candidate for BN-UMNO, was elected state assemblyman for Pelabuhan Klang (N46) in the 2004 election. He took over from Dato' Teh Chang Ying (BN - MCA) who won the seat in the 1999 election. However, in the 2008 election, he was not selected as a candidate and was replaced by his daughter-in-law Roselinda Abdul Jamil, which she did not win.[2]

Controversies

Zakaria gained infamy in 2006 when he had a run-in with the law for not submitting building plans for his mansion, dubbed as an istana (palace) by his detractors. He was also found not to have paid the assessment for a property for 12 years, while his family was caught operating an illegal satay restaurant on government reserve land. His mansion has 21 bathrooms and 16 bedrooms, including 11 that are occupied by each of his children, as well as a VIP room, three living rooms, a dining hall and a prayer room.

The house also has a swimming pool, a bowling room, several gazebos, an orchard, a two-hole golf lawn, an office, a storeroom, two rooms for maids as well as a wet kitchen and a dry kitchen.[3]

Death

On 11 March 2008, Zakaria died at the age of 62 after suffering a heart attack. He had been discussing over dinner the dismal results of the just-concluded 2008 election (in which his party fared poorly, losing Selangor state to the opposition) when he collapsed. He is buried in Malacca.[4]

Election results

Year!
ConstituencyCandidateVotesPctOpponent(s)VotesPctBallots castMajorityTurnout
1999N40 Selat KlangZakaria Md Deros (UMNO)9,97057.82%Ahmad Supian (PAS)7,27242.18%17,5612,69870.95%
2004N46 Pelabuhan KlangZakaria Md Deros (UMNO)12,31270.81%Krishnasamy Punusamy (PKR)5,07529.19%17,9557,23769.40%

Honours

References

  1. http://klpos.com/v2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=618&Itemid=83, "Belasungkawa 'Abang Zek": Meniti kuasa", KLPos
  2. http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/arkib.asp?y=2008&dt=0221&pub=utusan_malaysia&sec=terkini&pg=bt_07.htm&arc=hive "Menantu Datuk Zek bertanding DUN Pelabuhan Klang", Utusan. 21 Februari 2008
  3. Web site: Edward. Rajendra. Second councillor builds mansion without approval. The Star. 22 October 2006. 25 October 2006. English.
  4. http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/11/nation/20080311085456&sec=nation Zakaria Deros dies
  5. Book: The PJK and PPS Recipients. New Sunday Times. 9 March 1981.
  6. Web site: DSSA 1996. awards.selangor.gov.my.