Mohamad Ezam bin Mohd Nor (Jawi: ; born 24 April 1967) is a Malaysian politician and activist who was one of the founding members of the People's Justice Party (PKR). He served as a member of the Dewan Negara twice, from May 2010 to May 2013 and from August 2013 until he resigned in March 2014. He also served as the communications director of the Ministry of Finance from March 2014 until 2016 and political secretary for Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim from 1996 until September 1998. He is best known for his role in opposing corruption within the Malaysian government and his prominent activism during the Reformasi movement in the late 1990s, with prominent figures like Lokman Noor Adam. Mohamad Ezam has been a figure of political controversy in Malaysia, having switched political parties several times, and is widely known for his vocal criticism of political corruption and abuses of power.
Mohamad Ezam first became known when he was involved in the Reformasi movement in 1998 and became the first Youth Leader of the National Justice Party (KeADILan) in 1999. He was the deputy president of the Malaysian People's Party (PRM) from December 2022 until September 2024, before joining the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS). He is also active in mobilizing non-governmental organizations that focus on anti-corruption, such as the People's Anti-Corruption Movement (GERAK) and Hisbah Center for Reform (HISBAH).
Early life and education Mohamad Ezam bin Mohd Nor was born in Klang, Selangor, Malaysia on 24 April 1967. He went to Victoria Institution, Kuala Lumpur for his secondary education from 1980 until 1984. He continued his studies at International Islamic University Malaysia (UIAM) in 1987 and received his bachelor's degree in economics (BEc) in 1991.
Early political career (1993–1998) Mohamad Ezam started his political career by joining the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) in 1993. He served as the head of the UMNO Youth of Petaling Jaya Selatan division from 1993 until 1996. Then, he was promoted to become the secretary of UMNO Selangor from 1996 until 1998 and demoted back to the vice head of UMNO of Petaling Jaya Selatan division. He also served briefly as the political secretary for his mentor, Anwar Ibrahim while Anwar still became the deputy prime minister and finance minister from 1996 until September 1998,Ezam dedah Rameli kawan rapat Anwar before Anwar was sacked by Mahathir Mohamad due to the sodomy trial.
Reformasi and KeADILan founding member (1999–2007) Mohamad Ezam's political journey began in the late 1990s during the Reformasi movement, a series of mass protests and rallies triggered by the dismissal of Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in 1998. Mohamad Ezam, then a student, became deeply involved in the movement, which aimed to reform the Malaysian political system, fight corruption, and restore justice. He was a vocal supporter of Anwar Ibrahim and was one of the key figures within the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (ABIM), a youth organization linked to Anwar.
Mohamad Ezam contested in the 1999 general election for the Shah Alam seat. It was a two-corner fight between himself and UMNO candidate Mohd Zin Mohamed. However, he was lost with a slim majority, which was 1,440 votes.Ezam confirms contesting in Shah Alam, Khalid asks why
During the Reformasi era, Mohamad Ezam's activism drew the attention of the Malaysian authorities. In 2001, Mohamad Ezam was arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA), a controversial law that allows detention without trial, due to his involvement in the political protests and his outspoken criticism of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's government. He was detained for a total of 18 months, and his imprisonment marked a significant period of his life that solidified his commitment to fighting for democratic reforms in Malaysia.UPDATE(MALAYSIA): Four ISA detainees served two years detention orderMalaysia's Internal Security Act and Suppression of Political Dissent: A Human Rights Watch BackgrounderMalaysia: three reformasi ISA detainees released
Since Anwar's arrest in 1998, until his release in 2004, Mohamad Ezam never stopped giving speeches and campaigning for his release. Mohamad Ezam attended several cases involving court cases. In the case of Mohamad Ezam Mohd Noor v Inspector General of Police & Others 4 CLJ 309, the Federal Court ruled that the position of Article 5(3) of the Federal Constitution is unchanged based on Section 4(4) of the Human Rights Commission Act (SUHAKAM Act) 1999, and there is no urgent need to apply international rules/laws. Further, in the case of Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor v PP [Criminal Appeal No: 42-22-2002], the Shah Alam High Court has decided that there are two categories of official secrets, which are 'scheduled official secrets' and 'Leveled official secrets' that first need to be classified by the Minister, Menteri Besar and Chief Minister. In 2002, Mohamad Ezam was sentenced to two years in prison. As such, he was detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) from 2002 to 2003; and the Official Secrets Act (OSA) in 2002, both simultaneously.
Mohamad Ezam also resigned as the Youth Chief of the People's Justice Party (PKR) on 30 October 2006 after serving as its first youth chief over 8 years on the statement given by him in a special press conference at PKR office in Brickfields.Ezam sah letak jawatan sebagai Ketua AMK
Return to UMNO and senatorship (2007–2016) In June 2007, Mohamad Ezam announced that he would leave PKR.Ezam keluar PKR, mungkin sertai PAS atau Umno... This shock announcement was made because he said that he no longer believed in Anwar's struggle and was said to be rivaled by Anwar's most right strongman, Mohamed Azmin Ali.Ezam keluar PKR, mungkin sertai PAS atau Umno...Pengakuan Ezam Mohd Nor Mohamad Ezam is said to be unable to cooperate with Mohamed Azmin because of different ways of thinking. He was labeled by Pakatan Rakyat supporters as a bribe-eater, traitor, political opportunist and various other titles. He later funded the Gerakan Rakyat Anti Korupsi (GERAK) and served as its first president from 2007 until 2008. In May 2008, he joined his old political party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).Ezam sertai semula Umno
On 3 May 2010, Mohamad Ezam was sworn in as a senator in the Malaysian Parliament. Apart from him, the other three individuals appointed are former Deputy President of Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), Palanivel Govindasamy, Executive Chairman of Rahim and Co, Abdul Rahim Abdul Rahman and Pagoh UMNO Women's Chief Division, Noriah Mahat. They took the oath in front of the President of the Dewan Negara, Abu Zahar Ujang. Mohamad Ezam said he was appointed as a senator because of the role he played in the non-governmental organization, Gerakan Rakyat Anti Korupsi (GERAK), where he also served as its president since 2007.Ezam Mohd Nor antara empat dilantik senator In addition, he was appointed as the vice head of UMNO of Kota Raja division after won without contest on 21 September 2013.Senator Ezam M. Nor Kini Timbalan Ketua Umno Bahagian Kota Raja
However, after serving a full one term and a half as a senator, he tendered his resignation on 5 March 2014.Ezam nafi dakwaan letak jawatan sebagai senator After 10 days, he was appointed by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Najib Razak as the communications director of the Ministry of Finance.Ezam pengarah komunikasi Kementerian Kewangan He held the position until 2016, when he resigned.EZAM MOHD NOR He also left his political party, UMNO, in October 2016 after staying nearly 10 years, quoting that "considered that the party was no longer serious in the fight against corruption".Anwar’s former aide Ezam quits UmnoEzam keluar UMNOEzam umum keluar Umno selepas kecewa dengan rasuah He also added that "he joined UMNO in May 2008 to focus on the repeal of the Internal Security Act (ISA) and the Official Secrets Act (OSA). I have been jailed under these two acts, but what is more important is that I believe these two acts are often an obstacle to the fight against corruption crimes. During my tenure as a member of the Dewan Negara from 2010 to 2014, ISA was discussed and abolished, while OSA still shows no signs of change".
Frequent party switching and GE-15 (2016–2023) Mohamad Ezam joined the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU) in October 2016, after leaving UMNO in the same month.Ezam submits his application to join Bersatu However, after nearly three months, he left BERSATU in a statement with Malaysiakini.Ezam keluar BERSATUTak sampai 3 bulan, Ezam keluar PPBM
In 2017, Mohamad Ezam joined Parti Generasi Baru (NewGen), a political party that was founded in 2013. He was elected as the president and selected Khairuddin Abu Hassan as his deputy. However, he changed NewGen Party into Parti Bebas Rasuah (PBS), taking almost 300 members from the old party, causing the anger of the previous leadership.Ezam Pertahan Parti Generasi BaruEzam, Khairuddin Salah Guna Parti Generasi Baru, Tukar Kepada PBR This led to the previous president of NewGen, G. Kumar Aamaan, making a police report and a complaint to the Registry of Societies Malaysia (ROS) requesting further investigation because the action in question violated the party's constitution and the agency's laws.Ezam, Khairuddin Salah Guna Parti Generasi Baru, Tukar Kepada PBR The PBR party won't last long since Mohamd Ezam decided not to wait for the ROS to approve his request after two months.Hasrat Ezam tubuh Parti Bebas Rasuah tidak kesampaian
In the 2018 general election, Mohamad Ezam was expected to run for the Pekan seat, He will face his former boss, Najib Razak, who is the sole BN candidate. However, he canceled his intention to run for the Pekan seat but instead Shah Alam. This was announced by the Secretary-General of Hisbah Malaysia, Abdul Ghani Haroon. He added that "Shah Alam was chosen as it is an urban constituency with a large Malay majority."Tak jadi di Pekan, Ezam intai Shah Alam Ezam to contest in Shah Alam However, he withdrew his nomination.
Mohamad Ezam also considered running for the Port Dickson seat in the 2018 by-election. However, he withdrew his intention to face his former mentor, Anwar Ibrahim.Anwar’s ex-aide Ezam considers contesting in Port DicksonEzam akui pertimbang cabar Anwar di PD
In May 2019, Mohamad Ezam decided to found a new political party, named "Parti Negara" (NEGARA). It focused on fighting the corruption, which is the main enemy of the country.Ezam tubuh Parti NegaraParti Negara ditubuh untuk perangi rasuah He sent his application to the ROS on 17 May 2019.Ezam mahu tubuh parti anti rasuah However, in January 2020, he decided not to pursue his application.Mohd Ezam batal permohonan tubuh parti Negara
In June 2020, Mohamad Ezam confirmed that he rejoined PKR, his old political party and had already submitted his application form.Ezam kembali ke pangkuan PKRSertai Semula PKR Kerana Saranan Rakan Pimpinan – Ezam Noor He added that "the decision was made on the recommendation of friends and PKR leaders themselves to help the party". However, he left the party on the same year.
In May 2022, Mohamad Ezam joined the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Front (BERJASA).Ezam sertai BerjasaMohamad Ezam sah sertai Berjasa However, he left the party in the same year.
Mohamad Ezam was speculated to run for the Langkawi seat in the general election in 2022.Ezam dijangka lawan Tun M di Langkawi?Ezam cabar Dr M di Langkawi He will be faced with his old archnemesis, Mahathir Mohamad, who is also expected to compete for the same seat in Kedah.