Zaim Saidi was born in Nov 21,1962, married with four kids. He is presently the Executive Director of Public Interest Research and Advocacy Center (PIRAC), a research-based advocacy group. He received his undergraduate degree in Food Technology and Human Nutrition from Bogor Institute of Agriculture (1986) and his Master of Public Affairs (Hon) degree from University of Sydney, Australia (1998).

Zaim has 17 years of experience in the NGO movement in Indonesia, as well as in consumer protection, environmental movement and in public policy research and advocacy. He has published works on consumer and environment protection, and more recently on resource mobilization and philanthropy . For his exemplary work in these fields, Zaim received Public Interest Research Fellowship from Ralph Nader's Multinational Monitor in 1991, Leadership for Environment and Development (LEAD) Fellowship in 1992-1994, and Merdeka Fellowship from the Government of Australia, in 1996-1997.

Other experience that Zaim has is in journalistic works. He served as a special editor in Berita Buana daily newspaper from 1991-1992, and in Republika from 1993-1997; and as guest colomnist for Swasembada, a monthly business magazine, on business ethics in 1991, and for Media Indonesia on consumers affairs, in 1994-1997. From July-October 2000 he co-hosted Kamar 619, a weekly television talk show on environment and sustainable development, nationally broadcasted by Televisi Pendidikan Indonesia (TPI), and since February 2002-July 2003 hosts Gerbang Agribisnis, beweekly talkshow on agribusiness broadcasted by TVRI.

Zaim also teaches as visiting lecturer at the University of Indonesia and University Tanjungpura.