Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

Yang Berhormat Dato' Seri Dr.
Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
MP
احمد زاهيد حميدي
Zahid in 2017
11th Leader of the Opposition
Assumed office
12 May 2018
Monarch Muhammad V
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad
Preceded by Wan Azizah Wan Ismail
President of the United Malays National Organisation
Assumed office
30 June 2018
Acting: 12 May 2018 - 30 June 2018
Deputy Hishammuddin Hussein (acting)
Mohamad Hasan
Chairman Badruddin Amiruldin
Preceded by Najib Razak
11th Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia
In office
29 July 2015 – 10 May 2018
Prime Minister Najib Razak
Preceded by Muhyiddin Yassin
Succeeded by Wan Azizah Wan Ismail
Minister of Home Affairs
In office
16 May 2013 – 10 May 2018
Prime Minister Najib Razak
Preceded by Hishammuddin Hussein
Succeeded by Muhyiddin Yassin
Minister of Defence
In office
10 April 2009 – 16 May 2013
Prime Minister Najib Razak
Preceded by Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Succeeded by Hishammuddin Hussein
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department
In office
19 March 2008 – 10 April 2009
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Preceded by Abdullah Md Zin
Succeeded by Jamil Khir Baharom
Member of the Parliament of Malaysia
for Bagan Datuk
Assumed office
25 April 1995
Preceded by Mohamed Jamrah
Majority 14,830 (1995)
4,617 (1999)
12,539 (2004)
2,692 (2008)
2,108 (2013)
5,073 (2018)
Personal details
Born Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi
(1953-01-04) 4 January 1953
Kampung Sungai Nipah Darat, Rungkup, Selekoh, Bagan Datoh, Perak, Federation of Malaya
Political party UMNO
Spouse(s) Hamidah Khamis
Children 2
Residence Bagan Datuk, Perak
Occupation Politician

Dato' Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (Jawi: احمد زاهيد حميدي; born 4 January 1953) is a Malaysian politician serving as Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) since 2018. He was appointed Acting President in May 2018 following the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Razak on 12 May 2018.

He served as Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia from 2015 to 2018 in the Barisan Nasional Second Razak Ministry and Home Secretary from 2013 to 2018, and he previously served as Minister of Defence from 2009 to 2013.[1] He is the Member of the Parliament of Malaysia for the Bagan Datok constituency in Perak and a member of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) political party.

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] Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was appointed as Minister of Home Affairs in 2013, replacing Hishamuddin Hussein. Hishamuddin took Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's previous position at the Ministry of Defence.[12]

In July 2015, he was appointed as Deputy Prime Minister in a cabinet reshuffle.[13]

In the 2018 UMNO general elections, Zahid gained more votes than his rivals, Khairy Jamaluddin and Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, making him the new president of UMNO and also the first opposition leader from Barisan Nasional. Zahid's victory in the leadership election once again proven that UMNO learned absolutely nothing from their defeat in the 14th general election.

Family

Ahmad Zahid was born on 4 January 1953 in Bagan Datoh,[14][15] the eldest son of nine children (seven sons and two daughters) in the family.[16] His father, Raden Hamidi Abdul Fatah, was a Javanese native of Kulon Progo Regency, Yogyakarta, while his maternal grandfather came from Ponorogo in East Java and married his Malay grandmother.[17] His father died on 8 August 2014 at the Armed Forces Hospital in Wangsa Maju Kuala Lumpur.[18] On 1 October 2011, his mother, Tuminah Abdul Jalil, also a native to Kulon Progo, Yogyakarta died of a stroke and heart complication in her hometown Sungai Nipah Darat, Bagan Datoh. She was previously hospitalized at the Tuanku Mizan Armed Forces Hospital in Kuala Lumpur.

His daughter, Nurul Hidayah Ahmad Zahid, is a TV show host and is involved with the Rejimen Askar Wataniah as a volunteer.[19]

He was raised by a Chinese foster-father, Chen Jin Ting and sold ice cream together for six years with his foster family when he was in elementary school. Chen was not highly educated and would cycle from his house at Simpang Tiga, Hilir Perak to about three kilometers away selling ice cream. Chen was married with his foster mother, Guo Jin Luan. His father later died in 1999, more than ten days after the general election of that year.[20] Following accusations that he was anti-Chinese, he stated "Am I anti-Chinese when I have a Chinese foster father?" [21]

Ahmad Zahid is fluent in Standard Malay, local Perak Malay, and Javanese. His English is sub-par.[22]

Career

Hamidi in 2010

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 across Malaysia 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 Minister of Defence (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 Doctor of Philosophy degree from (UPM), thesis entitled "Barisan Nasional Manifesto As Agenda for Malay Language Newspaper During the General Election Campaign."

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 Minister of Defence by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

He was once the chief of UMNO youth Bagan Datoh 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 Minister of Home Affairs swapped with Hishamuddin Hussein.[23]

In July 2015, he was appointed the country's 11th Deputy Prime Minister in a cabinet reshuffle.[24]

Controversies

Shortly after the Black 505 rallies following the 13th Malaysian General Election due to claims of electoral fraud and vote manipulation, he 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.[25] This statement was made after series of street demonstrations led 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.[26] Ahmad Zahid had been sued by businessman Amir Abdullah Bazli for allegedly punching him in the on January 16, 2006 at the Country Heights recreational club in Kajang, Selangor causing the latter to suffer a nasal bone fracture and a swollen left eye.

During a speech in Malacca, Zahid was recorded endorsing the police policy of "shoot to kill" when arresting dangerous criminals,[27] including backing a certain group of gangsters.[28][29][30]

Zahid allegedly punched Nurul Hidayah Ahmad Zahid's (his daughter) lover, Amir Bazli Abdullah in January 2006. Amir Bazli suffered a nasal bone fracture and a swollen eye. The case was pursued in the civil courts for six years before the matter was settled out-of-court.[31]

Election results

Parliament of Malaysia: Bagan Datoh, Perak[32][33][34]
Year Government Votes Pct Opposition Votes Pct Ballots cast Majority Turnout
1995 Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (UMNO) 17,646 86.24% Asha'ri Marsom (S46) 2,816 13.76% 21,937 14,830 62.02%
1999 Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (UMNO) 12,938 60.86% Mohamad Dahalan Arhsad (PKR) 8,321 39.14% 22,164 4,617 60.24%
2004 Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (UMNO) 17,049 79.08% Ayyathurai Achutharaman (PKR) 4,510 20.92% 22,690 12,539 66.38%
2008 Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (UMNO) 13,115 55.72% Madzi Hasan (PKR) 10,423 44.28% 24,414 2,692 70.42%
2013 Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (UMNO) 17,176 53.27% Madhi Hasan (PKR) 15,068 46.73% 33,069 2,108 82.83%
2018 Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (UMNO) 18,909 40.0%
Pakhrurrazi Arshad (PKR) 13,836 29.2% 37,620 5,073 79.9%
Ata Abdul Muneim Hasan Adli (PAS) 4,061 8.6%

See also

References

  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". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 30 January 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
  5. ↑ Mydans, Seth (22 September 1998). "Malaysian Police Break Up Protests on Arrest". The 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. Archived from the original on 30 June 2004. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
  9. ↑ "DPM Zahid Hamidi Has Vast Experience In Politics, Banking Sector". Bernama. Bernama. 28 July 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  10. ↑ Leoi Leoi, Sim (27 March 2008). "Shape up or ship out, Islamic officers told". The Star (Malaysia). Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
  11. ↑ "Najib names his new cabinet". Malaysiakini. 9 April 2009. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  12. ↑ "Najib announces the new cabinet line-up (Updated)" Archived 7 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine., New Strait Times, 15 May 2013. Retrieved on 16 May 2013.
  13. ↑ http://www.utusan.com.my/berita/nasional/senarai-penuh-jemaah-menteri-dan-timbalan-menteri-1.117971
  14. ↑ "Biography : The Honourable Dato' Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi". Official Website : Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
  15. ↑ "Menhan Malaysia Ziarahi Makam Raja-raja Imogiri", Viva News, 21 March 2013, archived from the original on 11 October 2014, retrieved 22 March 2013
  16. ↑ "Jenazah bapa Ahmad Zahid selamat dikebumikan" (in Malay). Utusan Melayu. 10 August 2014.
  17. ↑ "Malaysian defense minister visits ‘home’", 22 March 2013, The Jakarta Post, retrieved 18 May 2013
  18. ↑ "Ayah Zahid Hamidi meninggal dunia" (in Malay). Astro Awani. 8 August 2014.
  19. ↑ "Siti Nurhaliza dan tujuh lagi selebriti sertai Askar Wataniah". Utusan. 16 June 2011. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  20. ↑ "Zahid formed ties with Chinese foster father by selling ice cream". Malaysia Chinese News. 19 August 2015.
  21. ↑ "Zahid says raised by Chinese foster dad, insists not 'ultra Malay'". Malay Mail.
  22. ↑ "Zahid proud to be UN rep despite criticism of his English". Free Malaysia Today.
  23. ↑ News."Malaysia's New Cabinet", The Star, 15 May 2013. Retrieved on 16 May 2013.
  24. ↑ Zahid Hamidi is new DPM
  25. ↑ "New Malaysian home minister tells unhappy Malaysians to emigrate". Straits Times. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  26. ↑ Boo, Su-Lyn. "DAP slams Zahid's 'arrogance and contempt' for unhappy Malaysians". The Malaysian Insider. Archived from the original on 20 June 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  27. ↑ Tam, Michelle (7 October 2013). "Zahid Hamidi slammed for alleged 'shoot first' and gangster 'friends' remarks – Nation". The Star. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  28. ↑ "'Zahid should quit and join Tiga Line'". Free Malaysia Today (Letters from readers). 8 October 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  29. ↑ Zachariah, Elizabeth. "Did you really defend Tiga Line gang, Guan Eng asks Zahid". The Malaysian Insider. Archived from the original on 10 October 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  30. ↑ "Carry on, Zahid tells 'Tiga Line' dons". Malaysiakini. 7 October 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  31. ↑ "Businessman withdraws civil suit against Zahid Hamidi - Nation | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
  32. ↑ "Keputusan Pilihan Raya Umum Parlimen/Dewan Undangan Negeri". Election Commission of Malaysia. Archived from the original on 6 September 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2010. Percentage figures based on total turnout.
  33. ↑ "Malaysia General Election". undiinfo Malaysian Election Data. Malaysiakini. Retrieved 4 February 2017. Results only available from the 2004 election.
  34. ↑ "14th General Election Malaysia (GE14 / PRU14) - Perak". election.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
Political offices
Preceded by
Muhyiddin Yassin		 Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia
2015–2018		 Succeeded by
Wan Azizah Wan Ismail
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