Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar

Ahmad Samsuri bin Mokhtar (Jawi: أحمد سمسوري بن مختار; born 16 November 1970) is a Malaysian politician, aerospace engineer and lecturer who has served as the 15th Menteri Besar of Terengganu, Member of the Terengganu State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Ru Rendang since May 2018, Member of Parliament (MP) for Kemaman since December 2023, and Group Chairman for Terengganu Incorporated (TI Group). He held a brief stint as the 18th Leader of the Opposition from May to June 2026 before being succeeded by Hamzah Zainudin during the RESET Malaysia Convention. He is a member of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), a component party of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition. He has served as the 2nd Chairman of PN since February 2026 and the Vice President of PAS since June 2019.

Early life and education Ahmad Samsuri was born in Jerteh, Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia on 16 November 1970. He went to Sekolah Menengah Sains Sultan Mahmud, Kuala Terengganu from 1983 until 1988. Masters of Science in Combustion and Energy from Centre for Combustion Studies, University of Leeds in 1996, and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) of Aeroengine Ignition and Combustion, High Altitude Engine Failure from School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds in 2001.

Member of Parliament for Kemaman (since 2023) Following the disqualification of Che Alias Hamid as the MP for Kemaman on 26 September 2023 and his decision against filing an appeal, the Kemaman by-election was triggered. Ahmad Samsuri instead of Che Alias was nominated by PN to contest for the seat. He won the seat and was elected the MP for Kemaman by defeating former Chief of Defence Forces Raja Mohamed Affandi of BN by a majority of 37,220 votes, which is a significantly increased majority, but lower turnout compared to the one garnered by Che Alias in the 2022 general election. Ahmad Samsuri described his landslide victory as having paved the way for PN to the Putrajaya, which is the administrative capital of the nation.

Opposition Leader (2026) Dr. Ahmad Samsuri made national history as the shortest-serving Leader of the Opposition. Appointed on 16 May 2026, his tenure was terminated on 13 June 2026, lasting a mere 28 days. Throughout this brief period, he did not attend a single parliamentary session, and consequently, never formally occupied the Opposition Leader's seat in the Dewan Rakyat.

His removal from office was announced during a live broadcast by PAS President, Abdul Hadi Awang . As a result of the sudden decision, Dr. Ahmad Samsuri never assumed his official duties as Opposition Leader, nor did he have the opportunity to debate or face the 10th Prime Minister (PMX), Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Election results

Honours and awards Honours of Malaysia

Academic awards and professional certificate Anugerah Penyelidik Cemerlang, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 2005 Anugerah Pencapaian Khas, Federal Agency for Industry (ROSPROM), Russian Federation: 54th World Exhibition of Innovation. *Research & NewTechnologies, Brussels, 2005 Pingat Emas, 54th World Exhibition of Innovation. Research & New Technologies, Brussels, 2005 Anugerah Khidmat Cemerlang, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 2003 Anugerah Khidmat Cemerlang, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 2004 Professional Engineer, Board of Engineers Malaysia, 2024