Sardon Haji Jubir

Tun Sardon bin Haji Jubir (March 19, 1917 – December 14, 1985) was a Malaysian politician. He served as Minister of Health, Minister of Works and Communications and was the Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor) of Penang from 1975 to 1981.

Early life

Sardon was born in Rengit, Johor on March 19, 1917. His father, Haji Jubir bin Haji Mohd Amin was a plantation owner and a kathi in Singapore.^[1]

Sardon was educated at Victoria Bridge School and Raffles Institution in Singapore. At Raffles, he formed a Malay literary association with friends including Aziz Ishak, Hamid Jumaat, and Ahmad Ibrahim and contributed articles on the Malays and their plight to Warta Malaya, a leading Malay newspaper in Singapore. This was done through Aziz's brother, Yusof Ishak who was already working as a journalist. Yusof later became the first President of Singapore.

After passing his Senior Cambridge examination, Tun Sardon pursued a career in Law in London and qualified as a Barrister from Lincoln’s Inner Temple. He returned to Singapore in 1941 and had his practice in Singapore and later in Johor Bharu.

Political career

Tun Sardon held the post of Minister of Health until 1972. He retired from politics in 1974 and was made Ambassador to the United Nations – a post then normally associated with retired politicians. In 1975, he was appointed as Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Penang.

Family

Sardon married Toh Puan Hajjah Saadiah in 1944. They had three sons and two adopted daughters.

Death

Sardon died on December 14, 1985 and was buried at Makam Pahlawan near Masjid Negara, Kuala Lumpur.

Legacy

With the support from business and community leaders from Penang, the Tun Sardon Foundation was incorporated on June 13, 1978 as a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital under the Companies Act 1965 to carry out charitable objects, including giving relief to the poor and needy, in particular the widows and orphans, victims of fire, floods, famine or other calamity and to those in need of moral or social rehabilitation or welfare.

Several projects and institutions were named after him, including:

• Taman Tun Sardon in Gelugor, Penang
• Jalan Tun Sardon a major road from Balik Pulau to Paya Terubong
• SMK Tun Sardon Jubir in Rengit, Johor

Honours

Honours of Penang

• As 4th Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Penang (01975-02-055 February 1975 - 01981-05-011 May 1981)
  • Grand Master of the Order of the Defender of State

References

External links

• Tun Sardon Foundation