Abdul Ghani Othman
{{short description|Malaysian politician (born 1946)}}
{{Use Australian English|date=October 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2014}}
{{Malay name|Abdul Ghani|Othman|note=on}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix = Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Dato'
| name = Abdul Ghani Othman
| native_name = {{lang|ms|{{Script|Arab|عبدالغني عثمان}}}}
| honorific-suffix = {{post-nominals|country=MYS|size=100|DK I (Johor)|DK II (Johor)|PSM|SPMJ|SMJ|PIS}}
| image =
| imagesize =
| caption =
| birth_name = Abdul Ghani bin Othman
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1946|11|14|df=y}}
| birth_place = Sungai Mati, Tangkak (formerly part of Muar District), Johor, Malayan Union (now Malaysia)
| residence =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| order1 = 14th
| office1 = Menteri Besar of Johor
| term_start1 = 3 May 1995
| term_end1 = 14 May 2013
| predecessor1 = Muhyiddin Yassin
| successor1 = Mohamed Khaled Nordin
| constituency1 = Serom
| order2 = Minister of Youth and Sports
| monarch2 = Azlan Shah
Ja'afar
| deputy2 = Teng Gaik Kwan
| term_start2 = 1 December 1993
| term_end2 = 24 April 1995
| predecessor2 = Annuar Musa
| successor2 = Muhyiddin Yassin
| constituency2 = {{pseat|Ledang}}
| parliament3 = Malaysian
| constituency_MP3 = {{pseat|Ledang}}
| term_start3 = 3 August 1986
| term_end3 = 24 April 1995
| majority3 = 10,665 (1986)
7,547 (1990)
| predecessor3 = Ngah Abdul Rahman (UMNO-BN)
| successor3 = Hashim Ismail (UMNO-BN)
| assembly4 = Johor State Legislative
| constituency_AM4 = Serom
| majority4 = 13,496 (1995)
8,248 (1999)
8,081 (2004)
4,971 (2008)
| term_start4 = 25 April 1995
| term_end4 = 5 May 2013
| predecessor4 = Hashim Ismail (UMNO-BN)
| successor4 = Abd Razak Minhat (UMNO-BN)
| citizenship = Malaysian
| party = United Malays National Organisation (UMNO)
| otherparty = Barisan Nasional (BN)
| occupation = Politician
| relations =
| spouse = Jamilah Ariffin
| children =
| alma_mater = La Trobe University
University of Queensland
| website =
| office5 = Senator
{{small|(Appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong)}}
| termstart5 = 11 December 1984
| termend5 = July 1986
| primeminister5 = Mahathir Mohamad
| monarch5 = Iskandar
}}
Abdul Ghani bin Othman (Jawi: عبدالغاني بن عثمان; born 14 November 1946) served as the 14th Menteri Besar of Johor in Malaysia from 1995 to 2013. He is a member of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), a component party of Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition. He had held the political party position of Ledang Division Chairman, Johor State Liaison Chairman and National Supreme Council member of UMNO before. Currently, he serves as the Chairman of Sime Darby Berhad, starting from 1 July 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.simedarby.com/Board_of_Directors.aspx |title=Board of Directors |accessdate=2014-12-27 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221140048/http://www.simedarby.com/board_of_directors.aspx |archivedate=21 December 2014 }}
Early life and education
He received his primary education at Tangkak Boys School (Sekolah Laki-Laki Tangkak) before entering Muar High School (Sekolah Tinggi Muar). Qualifying for a Colombo Plan scholarship, Abdul Ghani furthered his studies at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia. He graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Economics (Hons). Prior to returning to Malaysia, Abdul Ghani completed a Master's Degree in Economics at the University of Queensland. Upon returning to his homeland, he joined the Economics Faculty of University Malaya (1974–1980) and within several years, was promoted to be the Dean of the School (1980–1984). In addition to that, he also served as Master of First College (Residential) for University of Malaya (1979 – 1984).{{cite web|url=http://kk1.um.edu.my/english/index_BI.htm |title=kk1.um.edu.my|accessdate=2013-04-30 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130421024740/http://kk1.um.edu.my/english/index_BI.htm |archivedate=21 April 2013 |df=dmy }}
Political career
Abdul Ghani's political career began when he was first appointed to be a Senator (December 1984 - July 1986). This was followed by his election to the Federal Parliament in 1986 general election for {{pseat|Ledang}} seat.
From May 1987 to November 1990, Abdul Ghani held the post of Deputy Minister for Energy, Telecommunication and Post. Subsequently, he was then given the portfolio of Deputy Minister of Finance from 1990 to 1993.
In December 1993, Abdul Ghani was promoted to become the Minister of Youth and Sports (1 December 1993 - March 1995). He immediately initiated a national youth program called 'Rakan Muda' (Young Friend), which helped mobilise Malaysian youths through healthy activities such as sports and cultural events.
Abdul Ghani won the Johor State Legislative Assembly seat of Serom in the 1995 general election. In March 1995, Abdul Ghani was appointed to become the Menteri Besar of Johor and has held that position for the next 17 years.
During the 2013 Malaysian general election however, he was defeated in an upset result by Democratic Action Party (DAP) advisor Lim Kit Siang in Gelang Patah, Johor and was replaced by Mohamed Khaled Nordin as Menteri Besar for Johor.
Controversy
=Bangsa Malaysia=
Ghani did not agree with the Bangsa Malaysia concept and alleging that Bangsa Malaysia was a "nebulous concept" which overstepped the bounds of the Constitution. "Even if the term Bangsa Malaysia is to be used, it must only be applied in the context of all the peoples of Malaysia with the Malays as the pivotal race," he said.Nambiar, Ravi & Nadzmi, Siti Nurbaiyah (6 November 2006). [http://malaysia-today.net/blog2006/newsncom.php?itemid=539 "Ghani: Bangsa Malaysia is rojak and unacceptable"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013161427/http://malaysia-today.net/blog2006/newsncom.php?itemid=539 |date=13 October 2007 }}, p. 10. New Straits Times.
Ghani insisted that those advocating Bangsa Malaysia were echoing Lee Kuan Yew's call for a Malaysian Malaysia made during the early 1960s when Singapore was a state in Malaysia, even though the campaign had been repudiated by the government.Nambiar, Ravi & Nadzmi, Siti Nurbaiyah (7 November 2006). "No Bangsa Malaysia in Constitution, says Najib", p. 6. New Straits Times.
After the 2006 UMNO Annual General Assembly, Ghani elaborated that his opposition to Bangsa Malaysia and Malaysian Malaysia was because:
{{blockquote|It is about everything being equal and this does not capture the hearts of Malaysians. Therefore, regardless of whatever name is given, the concept is similar and this is against idea kenegaraan (the idea of nationhood) which we have inherited.}}
Ghani defined his idea kenegaraan as "the idea that has united the Malays, and also the same idea that has given privileges to other races to be citizens, live together and share power and prosperity."Tan, Marsha (3 December 2006). [https://web.archive.org/web/20070928015922/http://thestaronline.com/news/story.asp?file=%2F2006%2F12%2F3%2Fnation%2F16212464&sec=nation Ghani on why people cannot accept concept]. The Star.
Election results
| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"
|+ Johor State Legislative Assembly !|Year !|Constituency !colspan=2|Candidate !|Votes !|Pct !colspan=2|Opponent(s) !|Votes !|Pct !|Ballots cast !|Majority !|Turnout |
| 1995
| rowspan=2|N04 Serom |{{Party shading/Barisan Nasional}} | |{{nowrap|Abdul Ghani Othman}} (UMNO) |align="right" |16,789 |80.15% |{{Party shading/S46}} | |Husni Md. Alip (S46) |align="right" |3,293 |15.72% |20,946 |13,496 |71.79% |
| 1999
|{{Party shading/Barisan Nasional}} | |Abdul Ghani Othman (UMNO) |align="right" |14,652 |67.12% |{{Party shading/PAS}} | |Abdullah Husin (PAS) |align="right" |6,404 |29.34% |21,830 |8,248 |71.75% |
| 2004
| rowspan=2|N11 Serom |{{Party shading/Barisan Nasional}} | |Abdul Ghani Othman (UMNO) |align="right" |11,276 |75.99% |{{Party shading/PAS}} | |Abu Bakar Tambi (PAS) |align="right" |3,195 |21.53% |14,838 |8,081 |73.08% |
| 2008
|{{Party shading/Barisan Nasional}} | |Abdul Ghani Othman (UMNO) |align="right" |10,088 |64.63% |{{Party shading/PAS}} | |Rusman Kemin (PAS) |align="right" |5,117 |32.78% |15,609 |4,971 |75.85% |
Honours and awards
The Sultan of Johor awarded Abdul Ghani the Order of the Crown of Johor; Setia Mahkota Johor (SMJ) medal in 1989 and the Royal Family Order of Johor; Darjah Kerabat Johor Yang Amat Dihormati Pangkat Kedua (D.K. II) in 1996.{{cite web|title=Pengurniaan Darjah Kebesaran Bergelar Bagi Tahun 1996 Mengikut Negeri.|url=http://www.istiadat.gov.my/v8/images/stories/dkbp_negeri_update/1996.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205181133/http://www.istiadat.gov.my/v8/images/stories/dkbp_negeri_update/1996.pdf|archive-date=5 February 2020|access-date=26 April 2021|publisher=Prime Minister's Department (Malaysia)}} He was then conferred the Darjah Seri Paduka Mahkota Johor (SPMJ) in 2004, which carries the title Dato'.{{cite web|date=8 April 2004|title=Abdullah tops Johor Sultan's birthday list|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2004/04/08/abdullah-tops-johor-sultans-birthday-list/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510073501/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2004/04/08/abdullah-tops-johor-sultans-birthday-list/|archive-date=10 May 2019|access-date=26 April 2021|website=The Star}}
On 9 April 2009, Sultan Iskandar bestowed upon Abdul Ghani the highest award in the State of Johor, DK (I). It is very rare for a commoner to receive such an award, which is normally given to royals.
=Honours of Malaysia=
- {{Flag|Malaysia}} :
- 50px Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (PSM) – Tan Sri (2014){{cite web|title=SEMAKAN PENERIMA DARJAH KEBESARAN, BINTANG DAN PINGAT|url=http://www.istiadat.gov.my/index.php/component/semakanlantikanskp/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017142036/http://www.istiadat.gov.my/index.php/component/semakanlantikanskp/|archive-date=17 October 2020|access-date=26 April 2021|publisher=Prime Minister's Department (Malaysia)}}{{cite web|date=7 June 2014|title=IGP leads King's honours list|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2014/06/07/igp-leads-kings-honours-list-five-mca-leaders-among-recipients-of-tan-sri-award|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128131200/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2014/06/07/igp-leads-kings-honours-list-five-mca-leaders-among-recipients-of-tan-sri-award|archive-date=28 January 2020|access-date=26 April 2021|website=The Star}}
- {{Flag|Johor}} :
- 50px Companion of the Order of the Crown of Johor (SMJ) (1989){{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CaJUAAAAIBAJ&dq=johor+awards+list&pg=PA1&article_id=2798,1806942|title=Dr M Heads Johore Sultan's Awards|publisher=New Straits Times|date=8 April 1989}}
- 50px Second Class of the Royal Family Order of Johor (DK II) (1996)
- 50px Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Johor (SPMJ) – Dato' (2004)
- 50px First Class of the Sultan Ibrahim Medal (PIS I) (2008){{cite web|date=8 April 2008|title=Ghani to receive highest award in Johor|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2008/04/08/ghani-to-receive-highest-award-in-johor|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228012008/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2008/04/08/ghani-to-receive-highest-award-in-johor|archive-date=28 December 2019|access-date=26 April 2021|website=The Star}}
- 50px First Class of the Royal Family Order of Johor (DK I) (2009){{cite web|date=11 April 2009|title=Sultan of Johor Birthday's Honours List 2009|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2009/04/11/sultan-of-johor-birthdays-honours-list-2009/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510073502/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2009/04/11/sultan-of-johor-birthdays-honours-list-2009/|archive-date=10 May 2019|access-date=26 April 2021|website=The Star}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=Muhyiddin Yassin}}
{{s-ttl|title=Menteri Besar of Johor|years=3 May 1995 – 14 May 2013}}
{{s-aft|after=Mohamed Khaled Nordin}}
{{s-end}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20091026143925/http://www-cgi.cnn.com/ASIANOW/asiaweek/magazine/2000/0512/nat.malaysia.html Umno's Men-In-Waiting], 12 May 2000, Asiaweek
{{Fourth Mahathir cabinet}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Abdul Ghani Othman}}
Category:Malaysian politicians of Malay descent
Category:Malaysian expatriates in Australia
Category:Malaysian chairpersons of corporations
Category:United Malays National Organisation politicians
Category:Members of the Dewan Negara
Category:Members of the Johor State Legislative Assembly
Category:Government ministers of Malaysia
Category:Chief ministers of Johor
Category:Johor state executive councillors
Category:University of Queensland alumni
Category:Commanders of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia
Category:First Classes of the Royal Family Order of Johor
Category:Second Classes of the Royal Family Order of Johor
Category:Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Johor
Category:La Trobe University alumni
Category:Companions of the Order of the Crown of Johor