Syerleena Abdul Rashid

Syerleena Abdul Rashid (born 31 August 1980) is a Malaysian politician who has served as the member of parliament (MP) for Bukit Bendera since November 2022. She served as Member of the Penang State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Seri Delima from May 2018 to August 2023 and as a Penang Island City Councillor from 2015 to 2018. She is a member of the Democratic Action Party (DAP), a component party of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) and formerly Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalitions. Aside from her political commitments, Syerleena was formerly a columnist for The Malaysian Insider and contributed to various online news portals. She has also been a member for several non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including Aliran, as well as an anti-human trafficking movement.

Early life and education

Born in Kedah, Malaysia, Syerleena grew up in Penang, Malaysia. She completed her education at SRK Convent Green Lane and SMK Convent Green Lane. She later attended Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), where she graduated with a degree in Graphic Communication from the School of Arts. During her student years, she was actively involved in campus initiatives and community outreach programs that sparked her interest in social advocacy.

Political career

Entry into politics and city council

Encouraged by her associate, Chris Lee Chun Kit, Syerleena formally joined the Democratic Action Party (DAP) in 2013. She and Chris were both appointed as councillors of the Penang Island City Council, with Syerleena taking office in January 2015.

During her time on the council (2015–2018), she championed improvements to public infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and transparency in local governance. Her grassroots-focused approach and regular community engagement laid the groundwork for her subsequent electoral success.

Seri Delima (2018–2023)

Ahead of the 2018 Penang state election, Syerleena stepped down from her city council position to contest the Seri Delima state constituency. Despite facing a three-cornered fight and enduring personal attacks—particularly from certain far-right elements within Barisan Nasional—she won the seat with a 13,211 vote majority.

Throughout her tenure as MLA (2018–2023), she advocated for gender equality, youth empowerment, and institutional reforms. Nevertheless, her outspoken stance on social issues also made her a target of harassment; in July 2018, she received a death threat along with accusations of subverting Islamic institutions.

Election to parliament (2022–present)

In the 2022 Malaysian general election, Syerleena successfully contested the Bukit Bendera parliamentary seat, securing 78.98% of the votes with a 42,610-vote majority. Her victory marked a key milestone in her political journey, making her one of the prominent female Malay leaders in the DAP who has held both state and federal legislative positions.

She currently serves as the Political Education Director for DAP Wanita (the party’s women’s wing). Syerleena also serves as a committee member for the Parliamentary Special Select Committee for Women, Children and Community Development, as well as chairs the APPGM for Refugee Policies

Vision for Malaysia

Syerleena's mission is to create a Malaysia where every voice is heard and every individual is empowered to reach their full potential. Her guiding motto is:

"Malaysia Milik Kita Bersama" (''Malaysia Belongs to All of Us'')

This reflects her commitment to inclusivity and collective progress.

She has actively promoted unity in Malaysia, emphasizing respect and mutual understanding in her articles and public speeches. She has also highlighted concerns about national school systems, calling for better infrastructure, qualified teachers, and resources to improve education quality.

Awards and recognition

Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) (2015)

In 2015, Syerleena was selected for the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI), a prestigious cultural exchange program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Under the Fall 2015 Professional Fellowship Program, she spent four weeks with the Des Moines City Council in Iowa, gaining insights into American municipal governance and civic participation.

American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) exchange

She was later chosen as a delegate for the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) exchange program, also conducted in collaboration with the U.S. State Department. During this program, she observed presidential campaign rallies for candidates such as Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, and Bernie Sanders, as well as an Iowa caucus.

Personal life and music career

Syerleena was born to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Salmah Ayob, an academic who was previously associated with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), UniMap and UniSel. Syerleena’s father, Abdul Rashid Hanafi, a former schoolteacher who had previously taught St. George’s Girls School, Convent Pulau Tikus and Methodist Boys’ School. Her parents played a significant role in shaping her values and commitment to education and public service.

Beyond her political and social activism, Syerleena has a passion for music. She is the lead guitarist and songwriter for two bands:

* Priwayat – A Penang-based rock band she co-founded with fellow DAP politician Zairil Khir Johari.
* Paku – A rock band she formed with her brother, which reunited for a special performance in August 2023.

In February 2021, she married Tom Osborn, a professional freelance photographer and content creation consultant. Despite the demands of public office, Syerleena continues to champion social justice, equitable policies, and community-driven governance, both within Penang and on the national stage.

Social media and media contributions

Syerleena maintains an active presence on social media:
* Instagram: @syerleena.abdrashid
* Facebook: Syerleena Abdul Rashid
* Twitter (X): @syerleena
* TikTok: @syerleena_rashid

She has contributed to various news outlets on topics such as unity, education, and urban development:
*
Let's be better Malaysians
– Emphasizing unity and respect in Malaysia.
*
Who wins in urban renewal?
– Discussing the Urban Renewal Act.
*
Social media regulations need reform to protect children
– Calling for stricter protections for children online.

For a comprehensive collection of her writings and media appearances, visit he
News/Media section

Election results

Honours

* :
** Recipient of the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Installation Medal (2024)

See also

* Seri Delima (state constituency)

References

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Living people
Malaysian politicians of Malay descent
Malaysian Muslims
Democratic Action Party (Malaysia) politicians
Members of the Penang State Legislative Assembly
Women MLAs in Penang
Universiti Sains Malaysia alumni
1980 births
21st-century Malaysian women politicians
Malaysian MPs 2022–
YSEALI alumni