Othman Saat
{{Short description|Malaysian politician}}
{{Other uses|Saat (disambiguation){{!}}Saat}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2014}}
{{Malay name|Othman|Mohamed Saat|note=on}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix = Allahyarham Tan Sri Dato'
| name = Othman Saat
| native_name = عثمان محمد ساعة
| honorific_suffix = PMN (Malaysia);
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| order = 11th
| office = Menteri Besar of Johor
| monarch = Ismail (1967–1981)
Iskandar (1981–1982)
| term_start = 4 February 1967
| term_end = 4 April 1982
| predecessor = Hassan Yunus
| successor = Abdul Ajib Ahmad
| constituency = Jorak (1967–1974)
Kesang (1974–1982)
| constituency_AM2 = Kesang
| assembly2 = Johor State Legislative
| majority2 =
| term_start2 = 1974
| term_end2 = 1982
| predecessor2 = Constituency established
| successor2 = Sabariah Ahmad
| constituency_AM3 = Jorak
| assembly3 = Johor State Legislative
| majority3 =
| term_start3 = 1959
| term_end3 = 1974
| predecessor3 = Constituency established
| successor3 = Abdul Rahman Mahmud
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| pronunciation =
| birth_name = Othman bin Mohamed Saat
| birth_date = {{birth date|1927|4|4|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Muar, Johor, Malaya
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2007|10|27|1927|4|4|df=yes}}
| death_place = Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
| death_cause = Sepsis
| resting_place = Mahmoodiah Royal Mausoleum
| citizenship = Malaysian
| nationality = {{MAS}}
| party = United Malays National Organization (UMNO) (1946–1985)
Spirit of 46 Malay Party (S46) (1987–1996)
| otherparty = Alliance (1957–1973)
Barisan Nasional (BN) (1973–1985)
Gagasan Rakyat (GR) (1990–1996)
Angkatan Perpaduan Ummah (APU) (1990–1991)
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{{marriage |Rokiah Alwee| |1990|end=died}}|
Kamariah Bujang|
{{marriage |Hasmah Hussein|end=divorced}}}}
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| occupation = Politician
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Othman bin Mohamed Saat (4 April 1927 – 27 October 2007){{cite web |url=http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2007&dt=1028&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Dalam_Negeri&pg=dn_05.htm|title=Allahyarham Othman Saat anak Johor yang hebat – Abdullah|access-date=28 October 2007 |author=|date= |work=Utusan Malaysia}} was a Malaysian politician from the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), and later, Spirit of 46 Malay Party (S46), who served as the 11th Menteri Besar of Johor in Malaysia.
Political career
Othman's political career began with the Malay nationalist movement in the 1940s. He joined the UMNO party after it was founded in Batu Pahat by Onn Jaafar in 1946. Othman became a committee member of UMNO in 1952. He enrolled on the day of UMNO's establishment - 11 May 1946.
In 1955, Othman contested in the 1955 Malayan general election, winning the Jorak state constituency uncontested. He became an executive council member (EXCO) of the Johor State Executive Council in 1958.
In 1964, Othman was appointed EXCO member in charge of the Local Government and Housing portfolio and initiated low-cost housing schemes for the poor and opened the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) and FELCRA Berhad land schemes in Johor during the tenure of prime minister Abdul Razak Hussein in the 1970s.
=Menteri Besar of Johor=
On 4 April 1967, at the age of 43, Othman was appointed the 11th Chief Minister of Johor. He held this position for three terms until 1982. His fate changed when Dr. Mahathir Mohamad became prime minister with Musa Hitam as his deputy. Musa Hitam was said to have used all means from UMNO headquarters in Kuala Lumpur to weaken Othman's influence. This is the starting point of the fall of his political career.
Journalist Chamil Wariya, in his book 'Crisis of the Sultan - the Chief Minister, what really happened', describes the crisis between Othman and the Sultan of Johor. The then-Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Musa Hitam, reprimanded Othman for allegedly giving timber and land areas based on political considerations. Othman was ordered to stop the practice. He is seen as the Chief Minister for a long time and should provide access to young people.
Tunku Mahmood Iskandar, who had just been re-appointed as the Crown Prince of Johor, urged Othman to immediately resign for questioning the legitimacy of the crown prince.Kershaw (2001), pg 103 Several demonstrations were reportedly planned to be held in several places including Kota Tinggi.'The 1983 Malaysian constitutional crisis: two views and select ...', Simon Barraclough, P. Arudsothy The ailing Sultan Sir Ismail Al Khalidi fell into a coma on 8 May, three days before his death.Who's who in Malaysia (1982), pg 463 The newly installed Sultan Mahmood Iskandar issued a decree for Othman to vacate his office within 24 hours, shortly after Sultan Ismail's death.Southeast Asian Affairs (1982), pg 251 But Othman ignored that directive but eventually resigned after the intervention of Dr. Mahathir Mohamad.
In 1982, Othman resigned as Chief Minister after 16 years of service.Constitutional Heads and Political Crises: Commonwealth Episodes, 1945–85 (1988), Low, pg 185
In 1985, Othman was defeated by Muhyiddin Muhammad Yassin for the post of Pagoh division chief of UMNO. He had served in that position for 14 years.
A few years later, in 1987, he joined the newly formed Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah-helmed political party S46 to challenge UMNO in the 1990 Malaysian general election. However, the party did not succeed and was later dissolved.
Personal life
Othman was born in Kampung Tengah (Tengah Village), Muar, Johor to a wealthy rice trader.
Othman has nine children from three marriages, seven children (first wife) one child (second wife) one child (third wife), 32 grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. His first wife, Rokiah Alwi, died in 1990.{{cite web|url=http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/10/28/nation/19305297&sec=nation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030011653/http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2007%2F10%2F28%2Fnation%2F19305297&sec=nation|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 October 2007|title=Former Johor MB Othman dies at 84|access-date=27 October 2007|work=The Star (Malaysia)}} His third marriage with Hasmah Hussein ended in divorce. Othman's second wife Kamariah Buyung and eldest son Zulkifli Othman and his other children were with him when he died.
A luxury car enthusiast, Othman's collection at one time included 50 different cars, with brands including Ferrari, Alfa Romeo and Jaguar. Later, he maintained he only has one Mercedes-Benz S400 with his favourite plate number, JDN 7.{{cite web|work=Utusan Malaysia|url=http://lib.perdana.org.my/PLF/News_2007/UM/Others/200208/UM-281007.pdf|title=Perginya Bapa Pembangunan Luar Bandar Johor|language=Malay|access-date=15 April 2020|date=28 October 2007|publisher=Perdana Leadership Foundation}}
Honours
- {{Flag|Malaysia}} :
- 50px Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (PMN) – Tan Sri (1975){{cite web
|url=http://www.istiadat.gov.my/v8/images/stories/1975.pdf|title=Senarai Penuh Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang dan Pingat Persekutuan Tahun 1975.|publisher=Prime Minister's Department (Malaysia)|access-date=16 October 2020}}
- {{Flag|Johor}} :
- {{strikethrough|50px Sultan Ibrahim Medal (PIS)}} (revoked 1982)
- {{strikethrough|50px Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Johor (SPMJ) – Dato'}} (1968,{{cite news|work=Berita Harian|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/beritaharian19681028-1.2.25|title=Empat orang baru dapat gelaran Dato|language=Malay|date=28 October 1968}} revoked 1982)
- {{strikethrough| 50px Second Class of the Royal Family Order of Johor (DK II)}} (1969,{{cite news|work=Berita Harian|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/beritaharian19691028-1.2.87|title=Kurniaan bintang2 Harijadi Sultan Johor|language=Malay|date=28 October 1969}} revoked 1982{{cite web|work=Berita Harian|url=http://lib.perdana.org.my/PLF/ArkibNegara_Digitisation/Berita%20Harian/1982_a/BeritaHarian%5B4Mei1982%5BSultanTitahSerahPingat.pdf|title=Sultan Titah Serah Pingat|language=Malay|access-date=16 October 2020|date=4 May 1982|publisher=Perdana Leadership Foundation}})
- {{strikethrough|50px First Class of the Royal Family Order of Johor (DK I)}} (1972,{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CN0qAAAAIBAJ&dq=hussein+onn+SPMJ&pg=PA30&article_id=4007,2285198|title=Ministers head Sultan's awards list|publisher=New Straits Times|date=16 November 1972}} revoked 1982{{cite web|work=Berita Harian|url=http://lib.perdana.org.my/PLF/ArkibNegara_Digitisation/Berita%20Harian/1982_a/BeritaHarian%5B4Mei1982%5BSultanTitahSerahPingat.pdf|title=Sultan Titah Serah Pingat|language=Malay|access-date=16 October 2020|date=4 May 1982|publisher=Perdana Leadership Foundation}})
- {{strikethrough|50px Knight Grand Companion of the Order of Loyalty of Sultan Ismail of Johor (SSIJ) – Dato'}} (1975,{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s0w1AAAAIBAJ&dq=Malacca+awards+list&pg=PA5&article_id=1124,7558475|title=Johore Sultan honours 456 on his birthday|publisher=New Straits Times|date=28 October 1975}} revoked 1982)
- {{strikethrough|50px Star of Sultan Ismail (BSI)}} (revoked 1982)
- {{Flag|Kelantan}} :
- 50px Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Life of the Crown of Kelantan (SJMK) – Dato' (1989){{cite web
|url=http://www.istiadat.gov.my/v8/images/stories/dkbp_negeri_update/1989.pdf|title=Pengurniaan Darjah Kebesaran Bergelar Bagi Tahun 1989 Mengikut Negeri.|publisher=Prime Minister's Department (Malaysia)|access-date=17 October 2020}}
Death
Othman experienced light strokes in 2001 and 2002. He had his right leg amputated from the knee downwards due to a gangrene on 2 October 2007, at Sultan Ismail Hospital and gradually recovered.{{cite web|date=1 October 2007|first=Meera|last=Vijayan|title=Former MB Othman Saat in critical condition|access-date=15 April 2020|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2007/10/01/former-mb-othman-saat-in-critical-condition|work=The Star (Malaysia)}} Othman also experienced spinal pain after lying in bed for too long.
On 27 October 2007, Othman died at the age of 80 at the Sultan Ismail Hospital in Pandan-Tebrau, Johor Bahru due to sepsis at 7.00 am. Prayers were offered at the Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque with the crown prince of Johor, Tunku Ibrahim Ismail ibni Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj, present. Othman was subsequently buried in Mahmoodiah Royal Mausoleum.{{cite web|date=27 October 2007|title=Former Johor MB Osman Saat dies at 84|access-date=15 April 2020|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2007/10/27/former-johor-mb-osman-saat-dies-at-84/|work=The Star (Malaysia)}}
A village in Johor has been named 'Othman Saat Village' to commemorate his service.
References
{{reflist}}
{{Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Malaysian politicians of Malay descent
Category:21st-century Malaysian people
Category:20th-century Malaysian politicians
Category:Chief ministers of Johor
Category:Johor state executive councillors
Category:Members of the Johor State Legislative Assembly
Category:Former United Malays National Organisation politicians
Category:Parti Melayu Semangat 46 politicians
Category:Commanders of the Order of the Defender of the Realm