KANGAR, May 16- Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim (photo), 62, who was appointed as a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department is among the new faces in the 2013 Federal cabinet line up.
The former Perlis Menteri Besar of 13 years since 1995, is now the special advisor to the Prime Minister on the Northern Corridor Economic Region.
He returned as the Arau member of parliament by defeating PAS deputy spiritual leader Datuk Dr Haron Din and independent candidate Zainudin Yom by a majority of 1,371 voters at the polls on May 5.
A member of the UMNO Supreme Council and Arau division chief, he has an Arts (Honours) degree and later studied rural development at the International Institute of Social Studies, The Hague, Netherlands.
In 2007, he was conferred a political science doctorate from Universiti Utara Malaysia.
Shahidan, who is known for his vocal views in politics and sports, was suspended for two years until September 2015 and fined RM39,000 for four charges including criticising the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).
As a result he lost his status as the Perlis Football Association president, FAM Women Football Committee member and FAM Finance Committee member.
He is described as a philanthropic leader and has set up among others the Pok and Kassim Foundation (YPK) to help orphans, single mothers and senior citizens.
– BERNAMA
