| Yang Berhormat Dato' Mukhriz bin Tun Dr. Mahathir |
|
|---|---|
| Malaysian Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 10 April 2009 |
|
| Preceded by | Liew Vui Keong |
| Member of the Malaysian Parliament for Jerlun |
|
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 8 March 2008 |
|
| Preceded by | Abdul Rahman bin Ariffin |
| Majority | 2,205 |
| UMNO Youth EXCO | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 2004 |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 1964 |
| Political party | United Malays National Organisation part of Barisan Nasional |
| Spouse(s) | Norzietah Zakaria |
| Relations | Son of Mahathir Mohamad |
| Children | 3 |
| Occupation | Member of Parliament |
| Profession | Businessman |
| Religion | Islam |
| Website | Mukhriz.com |
Dato' Mukhriz bin Tun Dr. Mahathir (born November 1964) is the third son and fifth child of former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Dr. Mahathir and Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah. He is currently the Malaysian Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry. He held various posts of several business firms, which include Opcom Holdings,[1][2] Kosmo Tech[3] as well as the Malaysian Franchise Association.[4] He is also the executive director of Perdana Peace Global Organisation.[5]
Mukhriz was noted for his continuous efforts in speaking for his father in the events of the rift between the then Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his father.[6][7] In 2006, Mukhriz won the election of UMNO's Kubang Pasu division, coming in fifth. Mukhriz defended his father, who had lost in the same election he took part, by saying that there is a plan to topple him.[8] Mukhriz drew flak from sections of UMNO after he commented on Prime Minister Abdullah's speech that he was a "little bit" disappointed and that it offered nothing new.[9] He later apologised for his remarks.[10]
Mukhriz is married to Datin Norzieta Zakaria,[11] and has four children.[12] He is currently serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Malaysian cancer vaccine company, Bioven.[13]
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In 2004, he won the election of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) Youth Exco by garnering the highest number of votes[14][15] and was subsequently appointed to the post. He was also seen as a potential candidate for being the deputy chief of UMNO Youth's wing, but he later withdrew.[12] Mukhriz's older brother, Mokhzani, had also played an active role in UMNO's politics.
In the 2008 Malaysian general election, Mukhriz won the Jerlun Parliament Seat (P005).[16][17] Before this, he offered himself to contest in Langkawi Parliament Seat but was rejected by 85 out of 91 UMNO branches in Langkawi.[18] However, many Langkawi leaders backed him later. The Jerlun UMNO division welcomed Mukhriz to contest in their Parliament seat and promised to give him full support in the election.[19]
In 2009, Mukhriz contested as a candidate for the new UMNO Youth Chief after the wing's predecessor, Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein released his position. He was rivalled by Khairy Jamaluddin and Khir Toyo. Nominations for the posts coincided with division meetings which took place between October and November 2008. Mukhriz was initially seen as leading in nominations compared to Khairy but eventually lost in the final vote count.
However, a controversy was sparked when Khairy was allowed to contest for the post even though he was found guilty for being involved with money politics by the UMNO Disciplinary Board,[20] while others who were found guilty for the same offence, such as Mohd Ali Rustam who was supposed to contest for the UMNO Vice President post, were not allowed to contest for their respective posts. However, Khairy denied the allegation, as stated in his blog.[21]
| Year | Barisan Nasional | Votes | Pct | Opposition | Votes | Pct | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Mohd Johari Baharum (UMNO) | 19,424 | 52% | Idris Ahmad (PAS) | 17,219 | 46% |
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