Datuk Khaidhirah Abu Zahar (born 2 March 1984) is a Malaysian politician, host, director and former actress who has served as Deputy Member of the Malacca State Executive Council (EXCO) in the Barisan Nasional (BN) state administration under Chief Minister and Member Ab Rauf Yusoh since April 2023 and Member of the Malacca State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Rim since November 2021. She served as Deputy Speaker of the Malacca State Legislative Assembly from December 2021 to her appointment as a Deputy EXCO Member in April 2023. She is a member and the Division Vice Chief of Jasin of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), a component party of the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition. She is also popularly known by her screen name namely Dira.

She is the first actress to be elected as an elected representative after her win in the 2021 Malacca state election, overall the second celebrity to become a representative after the late former Senator Jins Shamsuddin.

Early life She was born on 2 March 1984 in Merlimau, Malacca, the daughter of the former eighth Chief Minister of Malacca, the late Abu Zahar Ithnin.Bapa Dira Abu Zahar selamat dikebumikan Sensasi Selebriti. Dicapai pada 26 Mei 2014. Dira holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam.

Entertainment career Dira has been a host on the television shows Fulus Mania, Jom Ronda with Proton and Melodi. Among the dramas she has acted in include Delima, Cinta Tanpa Suara, Rona Roni Makaroni, Merah Putih, One Hundred Birthdays, Tower 13, Aki Nabalu, Arjuna, Woman, Two Kali Mencintai Mu, Crossings and Aku Bukan Dia. She once starred in the movie My Indie Rock Darling.

Dira was also involved in the theatrical performances of Compilation Vol II (Legacy) and Signs. She is also involved in writing scripts such as for the drama film Syawal Aku Dan Dia on TV Alhijrah. Dira once participated in Sehati Berdansa, a dance reality show published by Astro

She has starred in several films such as For 3 Days, Chow Kit, Kil, The Run (also known as Lari), and Longkai. Dira co -starred with Aiman Hakim Ridza and Emma Maembong in the film Kimchi Untuk Awak directed by Michael Ang, which premiered in March 2017.Farhana Abd Rahman (17 May 2016). Dira Abu Zahar leaves the art world Berita Harian . Accessed May 29, 2016.

Dira took the director's chair by directing the theatrical staging of Mencari Sumaiyah which began its staging at Istana Budaya, Kuala Lumpur from 8 to 14 August 2016.Mencari Sumaiya cabaran Dira Utusan Malaysia (21 July 2016). Accessed September 11, 2016.

She also directed sitcom dramas for Astro Warna, 3 Dara Kg.com starring Scha Al-Yahya, Marsha Londoh and Eina Azman.

Political career Following in the footsteps of her father, the eighth former Chief Minister of Melaka, Datuk Seri Abu Zahar Haji Ithnin on Monday ventured into politics, Dira joined Puteri UMNO by serving as Exco from 2015 to 2018. Her appointment was made during the UMNO wing meeting at Menara Dato 'Onn chaired by the Chief Puteri, Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin who is also the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Culture. Also present, her Deputy, Zahida Zarik Khan; Puteri's Assistant Secretary, Fahariyah Md Nordin and the EXCO line -up

On 24 August 2013, Dira submitted the Puteri UMNO membership form to the state UMNO Liaison Committee Chairman, Datuk Idris Haron. She was quoted from Utusan Malaysia as saying: "I want to do many things for the party because I see how my mother and father struggle in the party and for their spirit I feel called to join Puteri".Dira Abu Zahar serah borang jadi ahli Puteri UMNO Utusan Malaysia (25 Ogos 2013). Diperoleh pada 1 September 2013.

Dira revealed to Utusan Malaysia in June 2018 that she made an official statement regarding speculation that she was contesting for the post of UMNO Puteri Chief.Khairulanuar Yahaya (5 Jun 2018). Dira Abu Zahar bertanding Ketua Puteri UMNO Utusan Malaysia. Dicapai pada 6 Jun 2018. In an interview with Sinar Harian, Dira stated that she remained loyal to UMNO, saying that what she was doing now was business and politics and no longer acting.Muhammad Shamsul Abdul Ghani (2 Jun 2018). Dira istiqamah bersama UMNO, sudah berhenti berlakon Sinar Harian. Dicapai pada 6 Jun 2018. Dira was announced as the Jasin Division UMNO Puteri Chief at the movement's delegate meeting. She won unopposed for the post for the 2018-2021 term.Amir Mamat (23 Jun 2018). Dira dipilih Ketua Puteri UMNO Jasin Berita Harian. Dicapai pada 24 Jun 2018.

Dira was one of the new faces picked by the party as the BN candidate to contest the 2021 Malacca state election for the Rim seat. She became the first artiste to successfully win an election to be a lawmaker. On 27 December 2021, she was appointed as Deputy Speaker of the Melaka State Legislative Assembly along with new Speaker Ibrahim Durum by Chief Minister Sulaiman Md Ali.

Personal life Dira has been married three times. She was married to musician Tengku Shafiz-Rullah Tengku Mohd Shahid (now married to Sherie Merlis) in 2006, and separated in 2010. They have a daughter named Tengku Anggun Deandra Tengku Shafiz-Rullah. Dira married the cameraman and director, Helmi Yusof on November 14, 2011, and had a miscarriage in December 2013. The couple filed for divorce in 2016.Zaidi Mohamad (9 November 2016). Dira, Helmi sudah enam bulan tidak sebumbung Berita Harian. Retrieved 21 June 2017.

She has an adopted child named Waris Iskandar Andiqa after getting an application from the government.Zaidi Mohamad (24 February 2019). Dira makin bahagia dengan kehadiran Waris Berita Harian. Retrieved 12 June 2019.3 bulan lepas awak muncul, Allah bisik ini saya punya: Dira Abu Zahar Astro Awani (10 January 2019). Retrieved 12 June 2019.

Dira married for the third time with businessman Syfik Izdzywan Sidek on 21 June 2020 at the Al Azim Mosque, Melaka, at 10.30 am. During the ceremony, Dira received a dowry of RM1,000 along with three delivery trays for five.

She has a hobby of riding high-powered motorcycles.

Controversy In April 2012, Dira became the subject of controversy when she was allegedly involved in a fight case and was accused of having caused grievous bodily harm to a woman following a slight misunderstanding. She lodged a police report on the incident, but denied involvement in the incident. As a result, she was rested as the host of Melodi and was not even allowed to attend the promotion of her film Chow Kit.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 2007 My Indie Rock Darling Young Lady Debut film appearances2012 Chow Kit Salina Untuk 3 Hari Balqis Ngorat Aishah Pontianak vs Orang Minyak Vampire Advisor 12013 KIL Salina Lari Maya Longkai Rima Kolumpo Kuih Sister Special appearance Papadom 2 Sheila2014 Sejoli: Misi Cantas Cinta Lola Mana Mau Lari Gadis JelitaSpecial appearance 2016 Bo-Peng Hana2017 Kimchi Untuk Awak Kak Long Kau Takdirku Awek Dating 1Special appearance 2023 Sayu Yang Syukur Sherry

Drama Year Title Role TV channels Notes2008 Rona Roni Makaroni Gia Astro Ria Kekasihku Seru MasitaTV32009 Merah Putih Anggun Tower 13 Maria2010 Arjuna Mas Ayu Crossings Katie NTV7 2011 Tahajjud Cinta UmairahTV3 2011–2012 Nilapura Widya 2012 Tanah Kubur (Season 4) Yati Astro Oasis Episode: "Pengkid" 2012–2013 Cinta Dalam Hati Munira TV2 2013 Dahlia Dahlia Astro Mustika HD 2015 Aku Bukan Dia Amy TV1 2017 3 Dara Kg.com Astro Warna As director

Theater Year Title 2015 Baik Punya Cilok

Telemovie Year Title Role TV channels Notes2009 Ponti Anak RemajaAstro Ria Seratus Hari Jadi Sara 2011 Perempuan TV22012 50:50 TV1 Kau Untukku Nurul Umairah Astro Box Office2013 Karlos Bolos Cuwie TV3 Pasport Duniawi TV AlhijrahBeranak Dalam KuburSalmahAstro Prima2014NangnokNangAstro Ria 2015 Cinta Suci Jadi Saksi2016 Redha Untukmu TV1 As director

Television Year Title Role TV channels 2007 Mango TV Host 2008 Jom Ronda bersama Proton Host with AGTV3 2010–2012 Melodi Host with Zizan Razak

Election results + Malacca State Legislative Assembly Percentage figures based on total turnout. Results only available from the 2004 election.YearConstituencyCandidateVotesPctOpponent(s)Votes PctBallots castMajorityTurnout2021N25 Rim (UMNO)4,037 45.31% (BERSATU)2,71030.42%9,0821,327 66.43% (PKR)2,16324.28%

Honours Honours of Malaysia

Companion Class II of the Exalted Order of Malacca (DPSM) – Datuk (2020)

References

External links