Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

Yang Berhormat Dato' Seri Dr.
Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
MP
Malaysian Minister of Home Affairs
Incumbent
Assumed office
16 May 2013
Preceded by Hishammuddin Hussein
Malaysian Minister of Defence
In office
10 April 2009 – 16 May 2013
Preceded by Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Succeeded by Hishammuddin Hussein
Member of the Malaysian Parliament for Bagan Datoh, Perak
Incumbent
Assumed office
1995
Preceded by Mohamed Jamrah
Personal details
Born 4 January 1953
Bagan Datoh, Perak, Federation of Malaya (now Malaysia)
Political party United Malays National Organisation – BN
Occupation Politician
Religion Sunni Islam

Dato' Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (born 4 January 1953) is a Malaysian politician and the Minister of Home Affairs in the Barisan Nasional coalition government of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and the Member of the Parliament of Malaysia for the Bagan Datoh constituency in Perak. He is a member of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) political party and previously he was the country's Defence Minister.[1]

Early in his political career, Zahid was a Senator and chairman of Bank Simpanan Nasional[2] before becoming the head of UMNO's youth wing.[3] In 1998, Zahid spoke out against Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, calling for an end to cronyism and nepotism in the Malaysian government.[4] Zahid, seen as an ally of deposed Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, was subsequently arrested and held in prison under the Internal Security Act.[5] However, in 1999, Zahid was welcomed back into the UMNO fold,[6] stating that Anwar had put him up to raising allegations of cronyism and nepotism and alleging that Anwar had used his position as Finance Minister to direct business opportunities to Zahid.[7]

After the 2004 election, Zahid became a Deputy Minister in the government of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.[8] While a Deputy Minister, Zahid studied for and was conferred the degree of Doctor of Philosophy from Universiti Putra Malaysia.[9]

After the 2008 election, Zahid became a Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.[10] He was appointed Minister of Defence in April 2009.[11] Recently, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was appointed as the Minister of Home Affairs replacing Hishamuddin Hussein. Hishamuddin took Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's previous position as the Ministry of Defense.[12]

Family

Ahmad Zahid is the eldest son, of nine siblings. In 2013, Ahmad Zahid revealed to the Indonesian media that he is of Javanese descent; both of his paternal grandparents were natives of Kulon Progo Regency, Yogyakarta,[13] while his maternal grandfather came from Ponorogo in East Java and married his Malaysian Malay grandmother.[14] On 1 October 2011, his mother died of a stroke and heart complication in her hometown Sungai Nipah Darat, Bagan Datoh. She was hospitalised at the Hospital Angkatan Tentera, Tunku Mizan, Kuala Lumpur.

His daughter, Nurul Hidayah Ahmad Zahid, hosts the local TV show Inspirasi Ramadhan and is involved with the Rejimen Askar Wataniah as a volunteer.[15]

Career

Before venturing into politics, Ahmad Zahid was a banker for OCBC. He was also one of the directors of Bank Simpanan Nasional (1995–1998) and also Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB). He was also a Marketing Executive for Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad, Executive Director for Scandinavian Motors Sdn Bhd, chief executive officer of Kretam Holding Berhad, Chairman of Tekala Corporation Berhad, Chairman of Seng Hup Berhad and Pengerusi Ramatex Berhad. In 1999 he became the Chairman of Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad (SPNB).

In 2007, Ahmad Zahid led a group of bikers for a tour of Malaysian and Indonesia to promote Malaysian tourism.

Involvement in politics

In 1986, he was appointed political secretary to Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak during the latter's term as Youth Minister (1986–1990) and then Defence Minister (1990–1995).

In 1995, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi became a member of parliament after winning the Bagan Datoh parliamentary seat in Perak in the general elections. He was elected UMNO Youth Chief in 1996. During the 53th UMNO General Assembly in 1997, Zahid spoke out against Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, calling for an end to cronyism and nepotism in the Malaysian government.In response, Mahathir publicised the names of those Malay/Bumiputeras who had received shares and high positions in government-linked corporations (GLCs).

In 1999, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was re-elected Member of Parliament for Bagan Datoh in Perak in the general elections. He was elected to the UMNO Supreme Council the following year. After he won the seat for a 3rd time in the 2004 general elections, Zahid was appointed Deputy Tourism Minister by former Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. While a Deputy Minister, he pursued a doctorate degree from (UPM).

In the political tsunami of 2008, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi again retained his Bagan Datoh parliamentary seat at a time when many (BN) party heavyweights were trounced. He was then appointed a full Minister in the Prime Minister's Department. In the April 2009 cabinet reshuffle, Zahid was appointed Defence Minister by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

He was once the chief of UMNO youth Bagan Datok branch, he was also the Vice Chief for the state of Perak UMNO youth, Head of the UMNO Communication for UMNO youth, and UMNO youth leader. Ahmad Zahid has also served as the Political Secretary of Najib Razak during the latter tenure in the Sport and Youth Ministry and also the Ministry of Defence. He is also one of UMNO's High committee members. He was once appointed as a senator in the Upper House of the Malaysian parliament.

He able to retain his parliamentary seat of Bagan Datoh in the 2013 election, although with a decreased majority. On 15 May 2013, it was announced that Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will be taking the helm as the new Home Minister swapped with Hishamuddin Hussein.[16]

Controversies

Shortly after the Black 505 rallies following the 13th Malaysian General Election due to claims of electoral fraud and vote manipulation, he has reportedly said that Malaysians who are unhappy with the country's political system should leave the country. This statement has raised discontentment among the citizens, putting a serious question mark over his political future in a multiracial society.[17] This statement was made after series of street demonstrations lead by opposition parties that has refused to accept the results of the 13th Malaysian General election. His first act as Home Minister was to order a crack down against opposition leaders and dissent, landing him in a bigger controversy with sedition laws being used to attempt to suppress the voices of opposition parties.[18]

During a speech in Malacca, Zahid was recorded endorsing the police policy of "shoot to kill" when arresting dangerous criminals,[19] including backing a certain group of gangsters.[20][21][22]

Election results

Parliament of Malaysia: Bagan Datok, Perak[23]
Year Barisan Nasional Votes Pct Opposition Votes Pct
1995 Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (UMNO) 17,646 80% Asha'ri Marsom (S46) 2,816 13%
1999 Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (UMNO) 12,938 58% Mohamad Dahalan Arhsad (PKR) 8,321 38%
2004 Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (UMNO) 17,049 75% Ayyathurai Achutharaman (PKR) 4,510 20%
2008 Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (UMNO) 13,115 54% Madzi Hasan (PKR) 10,423 43%
2013 Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (UMNO) 17,176 53% Madhi Hasan (PKR) 15,068 47%

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
  1. ↑ "Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi, Y.B. Dato' Seri Dr.". Parliament of Malaysia. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
  2. ↑ "Yadim sets up holding firm to diversify". New Straits Times. 17 November 1994. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
  3. ↑ "Forget differences, says new Youth leader". New Straits Times. 10 October 1996. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
  4. ↑ Fuller, Thomas (25 June 1998). "Daim Zainuddin Is Considered Pro-Business : Malaysian Leader Names Special Economy Minister". New York Times. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
  5. ↑ Mydans, Seth (22 September 1998). "Malaysian Police Break Up Protests on Arrest". New York Times. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
  6. ↑ "Zahid to chart new agenda to strengthen party". New Straits Times. 19 June 1999. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
  7. ↑ "Zahid: was given shares of listed companies". New Straits Times. 21 June 1999. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
  8. ↑ "More tourism offices to open". The Star (Malaysia). 4 April 2004. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
  9. ↑ "Zahid Hamidi Conferred PhD". Bernama. 25 February 2008. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
  10. ↑ Leoi Leoi, Sim (27 March 2008). "Shape up or ship out, Islamic officers told". The Star (Malaysia). Retrieved 7 January 2010.
  11. ↑ "Welfare Main Focus of New Defence Minister". Bernama. 13 April 2009. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
  12. ↑ "Najib announces the new cabinet line-up (Updated)", New Strait Times, 15 May 2013. Retrieved on 16 May 2013. He is also the idjit who consider open reward for slapping targeted individual is not a public threat, Ultraman is a threat to national security, and making statements saying that Malaysia is fair to everyone while evidence showing the otherwise. His credibility is doubted by the public and yet he still stand as minister.
  13. ↑ "Menhan Malaysia Ziarahi Makam Raja-raja Imogiri", Viva News, 21 March 2013
  14. ↑ "Malaysian defense minister visits ‘home’", 22 March 2013, The Jakarta Post, retrieved 18 May 2013
  15. ↑ "Siti Nurhaliza dan tujuh lagi selebriti sertai Askar Wataniah". Utusan. 16 June 2011. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  16. ↑ News."Malaysia's New Cabinet", The Star, 15 May 2013. Retrieved on 16 May 2013.
  17. ↑ "New Malaysian home minister tells unhappy Malaysians to emigrate". Straits Times. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  18. ↑ Malaysia. "DAP slams Zahid's 'arrogance and contempt' for unhappy Malaysians". The Malaysian Insider. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  19. ↑ michelle tam (7 October 2013). "Zahid Hamidi slammed for alleged 'shoot first' and gangster 'friends' remarks – Nation". The Star (Malaysia). Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  20. ↑ Letters from readers (8 October 2013). "'Zahid should quit and join Tiga Line'". Free Malaysia Today. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  21. ↑ Malaysia. "Did you really defend Tiga Line gang, Guan Eng asks Zahid". The Malaysian Insider. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  22. ↑ "Carry on, Zahid tells 'Tiga Line' dons". Malaysiakini. 7 October 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  23. ↑ "Keputusan Pilihan Raya Umum Parlimen/Dewan Undangan Negeri". Election Commission of Malaysia. Retrieved 17 June 2010. Percentage figures based on total turnout.