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Rina Harun

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Rina Harun
رينا هارون
Minister of Women, Family and Community Development
In office
30 August 2021 – 24 November 2022
MonarchAbdullah
Prime MinisterIsmail Sabri Yaakob
DeputySiti Zailah Mohd Yusoff
Preceded byHerself
Succeeded byNancy Shukri
ConstituencyTitiwangsa
In office
10 March 2020 – 16 August 2021
MonarchAbdullah
Prime MinisterMuhyiddin Yassin
DeputySiti Zailah Mohd Yusoff
Preceded byWan Azizah Wan Ismail
Succeeded byHerself
ConstituencyTitiwangsa
Minister of Rural Development
In office
21 May 2018 – 24 February 2020
MonarchsMuhammad V
(2018–2019)
Abdullah
(2019–2020)
Prime MinisterMahathir Mohamad
DeputySivarasa Rasiah
Preceded byIsmail Sabri Yaakob as Minister of Rural and Regional Development
Succeeded byAbdul Latiff Ahmad
ConstituencyTitiwangsa
Women Chief of the
Malaysian United Indigenous Party
Assumed office
5 April 2017
PresidentMuhyiddin Yassin
DeputyShamsilah Siru
(2017–2020)
Mas Ermieyati Samsudin
(since 2020)
ChairmanMahathir Mohamad
(2017–2020)
Muhyiddin Yassin
(Acting)
(2020)
Preceded byPosition established
Member of the Malaysian Parliament
for Titiwangsa
In office
9 May 2018 – 19 November 2022
Preceded byJohari Abdul Ghani
(BNUMNO)
Succeeded byJohari Abdul Ghani
(BNUMNO)
Majority4,139 (2018)
Faction represented in Dewan Rakyat
2018–2020Pakatan Harapan
2020Malaysian United Indigenous Party
2020–Perikatan Nasional
Personal details
Born
Rina binti Mohd Harun

(1973-04-18) 18 April 1973 (age 51)[1]
Tanjung Karang, Selangor, Malaysia
CitizenshipMalaysian
Political partyUnited Malays National Organisation (UMNO) (until 2016)
Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU) (2016–present)
Other political
affiliations
Barisan Nasional (BN) (until 2016)
Pakatan Harapan (PH) (2017–2020)
Perikatan Nasional (PN) (2020–present)
Alma materNorthwood University
MARA University of Technology
OccupationPolitician
Websitewww.rinaharun.com
Rina Harun on Facebook
Rina Harun on Parliament of Malaysia

Rina binti Mohd Harun (Jawi: رينا بنت محمد هارون) is a Malaysian politician who served as Minister of Women, Family and Community Development for the second term in the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration under former Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob from August 2021 to the collapse of the BN administration in November 2022 and the first term in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration under former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin from March 2020 to August 2021, Minister of Rural Development in the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration under former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad from May 2018 to the collapse of the PH administration in February 2020. She also served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Titiwangsa from May 2018 to November 2022.[2][3][4][5] She has also served as 1st Women Chief of the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU), a component party of the PN coalition, since April 2017. Prior to joining BERSATU at its inception in 2016, she was a United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) member.

Early life

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Rina was born on 18 April 1973 in Tanjung Karang, Selangor.[1] She grew up in Jalan Gurney, Kampung Datuk Keramat, Kuala Lumpur and earned an early education at Sekolah Kebangsaan Datuk Keramat 1, Kuala Lumpur. She then continued her studies at Sekolah Tun Fatimah before continuing her studies at the MARA Institute of Technology (now Universiti Teknologi MARA) in Diploma in Banking Studies.

Early career

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Rina worked in commercial banking industry for eight years before she decided to focus on politics.[6][7][8]

Early political career

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UMNO[9]

  • Sepang Women's Youth UMNO Division Chief – 2002–2013
  • Secretary of Selangor UMNO Women's Youth – 2002–2004
  • Deputy Chief of Selangor UMNO Women's Youth – 2004–2006
  • Selangor UMNO Deputy Women's Youth Chief – 2009
  • EXCO of UMNO Women's Chief – 2009–2013
  • UMNO Acting Women Chief of Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi – 2013–2016

PPBM[9]

  • Srikandi Chief

Pakatan Harapan[9]

  • Deputy Women Chief

Non-governmental organisations

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Ministerial career

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Minister of Rural Development (2018 - 2020)

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After winning her first ever election at Titiwangsa in 2018 general election, Rina was appointed to Mahathir's cabinet as Minister of Rural Development by the new administration of Pakatan Harapan (PH).[6]

Rina launched Harapan's Plan on Rural Development 2018–2023 in October 2018. The plan aims to make rural areas more conducive, inclusive, and sustainable. It concentrates on six key areas: infrastructure, economy, entrepreneurship, human capital, women, and delivery system.[11] The strategy also aimed to prevent project overlap between the federal and state governments, emphasising the importance of both parties sitting down and working together to achieve holistic development.[12] According to her ministry's records, the plan has benefited up to 500,000 rural communities as of April 2019.[7]

Minister of Women, Family and Community Development (2020 - 2022)

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During the Sheraton Move in early 2020, which saw the ousting of the elected Pakatan Harapan government, Rina gave Muhyiddin Yassin, the chairman of Bersatu, votes of confidence.[13] Rina was elected as Minister of Women, Family and Community Development under Muhyiddin's cabinet.[14]

Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill

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In December 2021, the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill 2021 was tabled by the deputy minister under her, PAS's Siti Zailah. "This bill, with a comprehensive definition of sexual harassment, will contribute towards creating a safe environment for the community, especially women", said Rina.[15] Victims of sexual harassment will be protected through the enactment of the bill, which allows them to receive compensation of up to RM250,000 from the perpetrators.[16] According to Rina, the new bill is not intended to replace the current justice system, but rather to improve it so that it will cover all areas, not just workplaces.[17]

However, during the previous year, Rina Harun was criticised after informing the Dewan Rakyat that the tabling of the Sexual Harassment Bill was delayed partly due to the change in government with the new Perikatan Nasional administration taking over from Pakatan Harapan in March 2020. AWAM called for a set date for the bill to be tabled in the future and expressed Rina's failure on not focusing on the bill for the entire year when the draft was already presented, and in effect the ministry has lost the chance to ensure that a proper budget allocation was secured during the 2021 budget debate to ensure an effective implementation.[18]

Controversies

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In her first month as Malaysia's women's affairs minister, Rina Harun caused controversy by posting two posters with sexist messages on the ministry's social media. One poster advised women not to nag their husbands if they did something that bothered them, but to use humour instead. Another poster emphasised the importance of a woman's appearance, even if she is working from home.[19][20] Women's rights groups criticised the ministry for releasing these posters, urging them to focus on the increase of domestic abuse during Malaysian movement control order to contain Covid-19 spread.[19][21]

Rina attracted both ridicule and criticism after she held a photo shoot showcasing various outfits at the official minister's office. Her weight loss prompted speculation of gastrectomy surgery. [citation needed]

Netizens criticized her for “glamming up” in the middle of an economic downturn, while her ministry seems to have little achievement since the beginning of the pandemic and movement control order (MCO) last year.[22] Former CEO of the National Welfare Foundation (Malay: Yayasan Kebajikan Negara, YKN) Che Asmah Ibrahim released a public post on Facebook claiming that Rina's use of official space to model 2021 Hari Raya fashion during the pandemic was highly inappropriate.[23]

In February 2021, Rina Harun came under scrutiny after she paid off an RM1.3mil debt to avoid bankruptcy,[24] with opposition politicians demanding explanations on how she managed to pay such a large sum based on her salary as Women, Family and Community Development Minister.[25] Through her now defunct company - Eurofine (M) Sdn Bhd, Fine Mobile Network Sdn Bhd and Fine TV Network Sdn Bhd – she had purchased several comedy shows and documentaries worth millions of ringgit from Sarl Novovision, a Paris-based production company between 2011 and 2013. She was earlier served with a bankruptcy notice for debts amounting to RM1,340,642.02. There were questions on how she had accumulated sufficient wealth and funds to pay off the huge debt in a short period of 15 months as the asset declaration data with Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission showed that her assets stood at RM72,000 when the same was made public on Nov 20,2019, with an income of RM34,004.48 a month.[25]

Personal life

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In January 2021, Rina was tested positive for COVID-19.[26] Both she and her mother had recovered after treatment.

Election results

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Parliament of Malaysia[27][28][29]
Year Constituency Government Votes Pct Opposition Votes Pct Ballots cast Majority Turnout
2018 P119 Titiwangsa Rina Harun (BERSATU) 23,840 47.31% Johari Abdul Ghani (UMNO) 19,701 39.10% 50,858 4,139 82.56%
Mohamad Nor Mohamad (PAS) 6,845 13.59%
2022 P113 Sepang Rina Harun (BERSATU) 47,315 34.30% Aiman Athirah Sabu (AMANAH) 56,264 40.78% 137,955 8,949 83.1%
Anuar Basiran (UMNO) 31,097 22.54%
Che Asmah Ibrahim (PEJUANG) 2,237 1.69%
Mohd Syahrul Amri Mat Sari (Independent) 319 0.23%
Mohd Daud Leong Abdullah (PUR) 264 0.19%
Muneswaran Muthiah (Independent) 194 0.14%
Nageswaran Ravi (PRM) 165 0.12%
Selangor State Legislative Assembly
Year Constituency Votes Pct Opposition Votes Pct Ballots cast Majority Turnout
2023 N41 Batu Tiga Rina Harun (BERSATU) 25,682 45.33% Danial Al Rashid Haron Aminar Rashid (AMANAH) 29,064 51.35% 56,654 3,382 75.05%
Syaidiyah Izzati Nur Razak Maideen (MUDA) 1,908 3.37%

Honours

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Honours of Malaysia

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Bernama Radio on Instagram: "Infografik: Profil Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar #BernamaRadio #semuanyatentanganda #pakatanharapan"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021.
  2. ^ "Rina Mohd Harun dilantik Ketua Srikandi PPBM". www.astroawani.com. Astro Awani. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  3. ^ "BERNAMA.com – Rina Mohd Harun named as Minister of Rural Development". www.bernama.com.
  4. ^ "PRU14 nanti soal 'menang atau mati', kata wanita Bersatu – The Malaysian Insight". www.themalaysianinsight.com.
  5. ^ "Rina Harun ready to serve rakyat as minister – Nation | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  6. ^ a b "Rina Harun ready to serve rakyat as minister". Retrieved 27 August 2023 – via PressReader.
  7. ^ a b Wahid, Shakira Buang dan Ramieza (25 April 2019). "Rina akui dirinya 'menteri pasif' tapi bersebab". Malaysiakini. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  8. ^ My Minister series: Rina Harun, 29 September 2018, retrieved 27 December 2021
  9. ^ a b c "Biodata YB Rina Mohd Harun @ Rina Harun Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar". ohsemput.com. 21 May 2018. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  10. ^ "[Infografik] Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun-Menteri Wanita & Keluarga". Twitter. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  11. ^ "Page 315 - Malaysia Baharu 2018". dbook.penerangan.gov.my. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  12. ^ Sukaimi, Siti A’isyah (29 October 2018). "Six thrusts under the 'Harapan Rural Development Plan' | New Straits Times". NST Online. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  13. ^ Monday, 02 Mar 2020 10:00 AM MYT (2 March 2020). "Rina Harun gives Muhyiddin vote of confidence as PM | Malay Mail". www.malaymail.com. Retrieved 27 December 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ "Senarai penuh kabinet Muhyiddin". Malaysiakini. 9 March 2020. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  15. ^ "Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill 2021 proves sexual harassment is gender-based". www.thesundaily.my. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  16. ^ Razali, Hidayatidayu (15 December 2021). "Kerajaan komited bantu wanita selesai isu gangguan seksual [METROTV]". Harian Metro. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  17. ^ Abdullah, Sharifah Mahsinah (15 December 2021). "Anti-sexual harassment bill 2021 to improve existing system, says Rina | New Straits Times". NST Online. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  18. ^ "Change of govt no excuse for delaying Sexual Harassment Bill, says NGO". Free Malaysia Today. 8 December 2020. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  19. ^ a b "Women, Family Development Ministry apologises for 'Doraemon' posters". The Star. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  20. ^ "KPWKM on Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  21. ^ "Ministry's advice to women irks netizens and women's rights activists". Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  22. ^ Pooi, Yin Leong (April 2021). "Digital Media: An Emerging Barometer of Public Opinion in Malaysia" (PDF). ISEAS Perspective. 38 (2021). Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  23. ^ Soo, Wern Jun (15 February 2021). "Women & Family Minister Rina Harun Hosts Fashion Shoot In Minister's Office, Catches Flack From Malaysians". Yahoo! News. Malay Mail. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  24. ^ Tan, Jocelin (20 February 2021). "Displays of wealth spell trouble for politicians". The Star. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  25. ^ a b Lai, Allison (17 February 2021). "Opposition lawmaker questions Rina Harun's source of wealth after million-plus-ringgit debt settled". The Star. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  26. ^ "Rina Harun latest minister to test positive for Covid-19". Free Malaysia Today. 11 January 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  27. ^ "Malaysia General Election". undiinfo Malaysian Election Data. Malaysiakini. Retrieved 4 February 2018. Results only available from the 2004 election.
  28. ^ "SEMAKAN KEPUTUSAN PILIHAN RAYA UMUM KE – 14" (in Malay). Election Commission of Malaysia. Retrieved 17 May 2018. Percentage figures based on total turnout.
  29. ^ "The Star Online GE14". The Star. Retrieved 24 May 2018. Percentage figures based on total turnout.
  30. ^ "Husam kembali bergelar 'datuk', Mujahid Dr Dzul Ahmad Awang 'datuk seri'". MALAYSIADATELINE (in Malay). 13 October 2018. Retrieved 13 October 2018.

2. ^ "Federal Government Gazette – Notice of Polling Districts and Polling Centres for the Federal Constituencies and State Constituencies of the States of Malaya [P.U. (B) 197/2016]" (PDF). Attorney General's Chambers of Malaysia. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 2016-07-08.