Zambry Abdul Kadir

A member of the Perak state legislative assembly, Zambry a key player in the 2009 Perak constitutional crisis as the intended BN Menteri Besar. After three state assemblypersons from the Pakatan Rakyat coalition announced their intention to support a BN candidate for Menteri Besar, and to lend their support to a vote of no confidence in the incumbent Pakatan Rakyat Menteri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak requested Nizar's resignation and swore in Zambry as the new Menteri Besar on 6 February 2009. Zambry acted as Menteri Besar for about three months. However, Nizar maintained that the Sultan was not permitted by the state constitution to dismiss him as the Menteri Besar, and on 11 May 2009, the Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled that Nizar had always been the rightful Menteri Besar of Perak.[2] To maintain administrative continuity, Nizar tentatively endorsed most of Zambry's policies, subject to later review, but reinstated the 817 village development and security committees and 318 local government councillors whom Zambry had sacked.[3] However, the following day, the Court of Appeal granted a stay of the High Court judgment, and Zambry returned to work.

On May, 22nd Court of Appeal in a unanimous decision, declared Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir as the rightful menteri besar of Perak. The court held that the order made by the High Court on 11 May, in declaring Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin as the legitimate menteri besar, was wrong and set aside that decision. Justice Md Raus, in his oral judgement, also held that the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, was right in appointing Zambry as the new menteri besar, under Article 16(2) of the Perak Constitution, after being satisfied that Zambry had the command of the majority of the state legislative assembly.[4][5]

Zambry has written essays for local media and publications Utusan Malaysia, Berita Harian, Dewan Masyarakat, Dewan Budaya, Dakwah, Risalah, Al-Islam, Mastika, and PEMIKIR, besides books and journals.

Among the books he wrote were UMNO dan Jiwa Merdeka (CELDES KL 1998), Pemuda UMNO Menebus Maruah, Menuju Arah (May, 2000) and Islam Malaysia & Amerika. His poems were compiled in an anthology in a book entitled Suara Pelaut (The Voice of a Seaman).

He has also produced numerous academic papers in magazines and journals, Politics In Malaysia, A Changing Scenario (2000), Belia dan Cabaran Politik Pascakolonial (1999) and he is also a contributor to Encyclopedia of Malaysiana (1998).

Zambry edited publications on Education and Development for Nurin Enterprise, K.L (1980), served as the Editor for Business Administration in Islam, Hizbi (1991), editor for Memperkasa Kepimpinan Merentas Masa Depan, CELDES, KL (1991). He was also the Editorial Chief for Imbas Gemilang KBS 1998, a publication for the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Among his translation works are Faces of Islam (Berita Publishing, 1990), Qur'anic Sciences (Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, 1991) and Islamic Legal Philosophy (Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, Oktober, 2000).

Zambry received the[6] (GIFA 2014) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates last year. The special award was presented to him as an exemplary leader in eradicating poverty in the state by setting up Yayasan Bina Upaya Darul Ridzuan (YBUDR). GIFA is an award in the Islamic finance services industry.