Syed Hamid Albar

{{Infobox officeholder

| honorific-prefix = Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Dato' Seri

| honorific-suffix = {{post-nominals|country=MYS|size=100|PMN|SPMJ|SPMK (Kelantan)|SPDK|DPPN|DGSM|DPMJ|SMJ}}

| name = Syed Hamid Albar

| native_name = {{lang|ms|{{Script|Arab|سيد حميد البر}}}}

| image = Halbar.JPG

| caption =

| office = 1st Chancellor of the Asia e University

| term_start = 15 October 2022

| term_end =

| 1blankname = Vice Chancellor

| 1namedata = Nik Mustapha Raja Abdullah

| predecessor = Position established

| successor =

| office1 = Ministerial roles

| subterm1 = 1990–1995

| suboffice1 = Minister in the Prime Minister's Department

| subterm2 = 1990–1995

| suboffice2 = Minister of Justice

| subterm3 = 1995–1999

| suboffice3 = Minister of Defence

| subterm4 = 1999–2008

| suboffice4 = Minister of Foreign Affairs

| subterm5 = 2008–2009

| suboffice5 = Minister of Home Affairs

| office7 = Faction represented in Dewan Rakyat

| subterm7 = 1990–2013

| suboffice7 = Barisan Nasional

| birth_name = Syed Hamid bin Syed Jaafar Albar

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1944|01|15|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Kampung Melayu Air Hitam, Penang, Japanese occupation of Malaya (now Malaysia)

| residence =

| death_date =

| death_place =

| party = United Malays National Organisation (UMNO)
{{small|(–2018)}}
Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU)
{{small|(2018–2022)}}

| otherparty = Barisan Nasional (BN)
{{small|(–2018)}}
Pakatan Harapan (PH)
{{small|(2018–2020)}}
Perikatan Nasional (PN)
{{small|(2020–2022)}}

| profession = Lawyer[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hLYTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GJADAAAAIBAJ&pg=4397,1806049&dq=syed+jaafar+albar&hl=en Deadline should be set for its usage in courts], New Straits Times, p. 6

| occupation = Politician

| relations = Syed Jaafar Albar {{small|(father)}}

| spouse = Sharifah Aziah Syed Zainal Abidin

| children = 6

| website = {{URL|http://syedhamidalbar44.blogspot.com/}}

| footnotes =

}}

Syed Hamid bin Syed Jaafar Albar (Jawi: سيد حميد بن سيد جعفر البر; {{langx|ar|سيد حامد بن سيد جعفر البار}} {{Transliteration|ar|DIN|Sayyid Ḥāmid bin Sayyid Ja'far al-bār}};{{Cite web|url=http://arabic.peopledaily.com.cn/31663/3314902.html|title=人民网--404页面|access-date=29 December 2012|archive-date=11 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211195621/http://arabic.peopledaily.com.cn/31663/3314902.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://www.ipsinternational.org/arabic/print.asp?idnews=250 |title=حقوق: مقتل إمام تايلاندي قد يشعل هجرة إلى ماليزيا | |website=www.ipsinternational.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714212421/http://www.ipsinternational.org/arabic/print.asp?idnews=250 |archive-date=2014-07-14}} born 15 January 1944) is a Malaysian lawyer and politician who has served as 1st Chancellor of the Asia e University (AeU) since October 2022. He served as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Minister of Justice, Minister of Defence, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Home Affairs in the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration under former Prime Ministers Mahathir Mohamad and Abdullah Ahmad Badawi from October 1990 to April 2009. He also served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Kota Tinggi from November 1990 to May 2013. He was a member of the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU), a component party of the ruling Perikatan Nasional (PN) and formerly Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalitions. Prior to that, he was also a member of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), a component party of the ruling BN coalition. He retired from politics in February 2022 and left UMNO for BERSATU in September 2018. He had also served as the Chairman of Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) which was already dissolved.[http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/6/nation/20100606144218&sec=nation Syed Hamid Albar is head of public transport commission]

Early life

Syed Hamid was born in Kampung Melayu Air Hitam, Penang, Malaysia, to Syed Jaafar Albar, an UMNO politician and former cabinet minister. Syed Hamid's father was of Hadhrami Arab descent, and migrated from Indonesia to Malaysia shortly before World War II.The Straits Times, 1 June 2007, Insight–Boosting links, 'software' to rekindle Arab ties, by Jeremy Au Yong[http://www.worldbusinesslive.com/rss/article/648273/ The world's successful diasporas][http://www.kln.gov.my/?m_id=25&vid=288 Speech by Dato Seri Syed Hamid Albar]

He had his secondary education at Maxwell School before going to Methodist Boys' School (Kuala Lumpur) for his Form Six education. For his tertiary education, he read law in the Inns of Court, London and was called to the Degree of an Utter Barrister by the Honourable Society of Middle Temple in 1970. As a student in London, he set up a club for Malaysian expatriates and students.

He is married with 6 children.

Political career

Syed Hamid has been active in UMNO in his student days, including while studying in the United Kingdom. After returning to Malaysia he became a magistrate, and then president of the Sessions Court, before entering the corporate world. In 1986 he won election to UMNO's Supreme Council and entered Parliament in 1990, as the member for Kota Tinggi. He was immediately appointed Minister for Justice, and in 1995 became the Defence Minister.{{cite web|url=http://www.lse.ac.uk/PublicEvents/events/2007/20070816t0901z001.aspx|title=40 Years of ASEAN: Its Evolution and its Challenges today|work=London School of Economics|access-date=2 November 2014}}

In 1999, he was appointed the Foreign Minister by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. In March 2008, he was appointed the Home Minister. In April 2009, he was dropped from the Cabinet. The previous month he had contested, but failed to win, one of UMNO's three vice-president positions at the party's general assembly.{{cite news|url=http://web10.bernama.com/umno2009/index.php?lang=en&sid=newsdetail&id=399446|title=Ahmad Zahid, Hishammuddin, Shafie Win Umno Veep Posts|work=Bernama|access-date=2 November 2014|archive-date=31 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031225144/http://web10.bernama.com/umno2009/index.php?lang=en&sid=newsdetail&id=399446|url-status=dead}} He left Parliament in 2013, deciding not to re-contest the seat of Kota Tinggi, which he had held by large margins since 1990.{{cite news|url=http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/syed-hamid-quits-kota-tinggi-urges-support-for-replacement/|title=Syed Hamid quits Kota Tinggi, urges support for replacement|date=12 April 2013|work=The Malaysian Insider|access-date=2 November 2014|archive-date=1 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101170810/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/syed-hamid-quits-kota-tinggi-urges-support-for-replacement|url-status=dead}} On 18 February 2022, he announced his retirement from politics and devotion of time to legal practice work and non-governmental organisation (NGO) activities.

Post-political career (2022–present)

=Chancellor of the Asia e University (2022–present)=

On 15 October 2022 during the 11th convocation ceremony of the Asia e University (AeU), Syed Hamid was appointed its 1st Chancellor. His appointment was made based on his "vast experience in administration and management he possesses" and confidence that he would "provide AeU with the direction and leadership to further enhance its academic standing". Responding to the appointment, Syed Hamid said that it was unexpected and that he was deeply moved, humbled and touched to get the "recognition". He also described it as a "great honour and privilege".{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/10/16/syed-hamid-albar-now-aeu039s-first-chancellor|title=Syed Hamid Albar now AeU's first chancellor|website=The Star|date=16 October 2022|accessdate=16 October 2022}}

Election results

class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"

|+ Parliament of Malaysia{{cite web|url=http://semak.spr.gov.my/spr/laporan/5_KedudukanAkhir.php|title=Keputusan Pilihan Raya Umum Parlimen/Dewan Undangan Negeri|publisher=Election Commission of Malaysia|language=ms|access-date=1 May 2010}}. Percentages exclude informal votes.

!|Year

!|Constituency

!colspan=2|Candidate

!|Votes

!|Pct

!colspan=2|Opponent(s)

!|Votes

!|Pct

!|Ballot casts

!|Majority

!|Turnout

1990

|P128 Kota Tinggi

|{{Party shading/Barisan Nasional}} |

|{{nowrap|Syed Hamid Albar}} (UMNO)

|align="right" |36,504

|78.57%

|{{Party shading/S46}} |

|Ma'on Omar (S46)

|align="right" |9,956

|21.43%

|48,073

|26,548

|79.42%

1995

|rowspan=2|P139 Kota Tinggi

|{{Party shading/Barisan Nasional}} |

|{{nowrap|Syed Hamid Albar}} (UMNO)

|align=right|36,776

|92.44%

|{{Party shading/PAS}} |

|Mohamed Hanipa Maidin (PAS)

|align=right|3,007

|align=right|7.56%

|41,577

|33,769

|78.83%

1999

|{{Party shading/Barisan Nasional}} |

|{{nowrap|Syed Hamid Albar}} (UMNO)

|align="right" |36,819

|86.84%

|{{Party shading/Keadilan}} |

|Rosdin Taha Abd Rahman (keADILan)

|align="right" |5,651

|13.16%

|44,994

|32,161

|78.15%

2004

|rowspan=2|P156 Kota Tinggi

|{{Party shading/Barisan Nasional}} |

|{{nowrap|Syed Hamid Albar}} (UMNO)

| colspan="9" style="background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center;"|Unopposed

2008

|{{Party shading/Barisan Nasional}} |

|{{nowrap|Syed Hamid Albar}} (UMNO)

|align="right" |22,682

|85.91%

|{{Party shading/PAS}} |

|Onn Jaafar (PAS)

|align="right" |3,721

|14.09%

|27,109

|18,961

|79.29%

Honours

= Honours of Malaysia =

{{Flag|Malaysia}} :
50px Member of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (AMN) (1984){{cite web|publisher=Prime Minister's Department (Malaysia)|url=http://www.istiadat.gov.my/index.php/component/semakanlantikanskp/|title=Semakan Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang dan Pingat}}
50px Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (PMN) – Tan Sri (2009){{cite web|access-date=19 October 2019|date=6 June 2009|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2009/06/06/1849-conferred-royal-awards-on-kings-birthday|work=The Star (Malaysia)|title=1,849 conferred royal awards on King's birthday}}{{cite web|access-date=19 October 2019|date=6 June 2009|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2009/06/06/the-yang-dipertuan-agongs-birthday-honours-list-2009|work=The Star (Malaysia)|title=The Yang di-Pertuan Agong's birthday honours list 2009}}
{{Flag|Johor}} :
50px Companion of the Order of the Crown of Johor (SMJ) (1991)
50px Knight Commander of the Order of the Crown of Johor (DPMJ) – Dato' (1992){{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KqRUAAAAIBAJ&dq=Syed+Hamid+Albar+SMJ&pg=PA22&article_id=6656,2444722|title=Syed Hamid Tops Ruler's Honours List|publisher=New Straits Times|date=7 April 1992}}
50px Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Johor (SPMJ) – Dato'{{cite web|url=http://www.istiadat.gov.my/v1/images/pengerusi_kanun_18jun2013.pdf|title=PENGERUSI BADAN-BADAN BERKANUN PERSEKUTUAN 18 JUN 2013}}
{{Flag|Kedah}} :
50px Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Kedah (SPMK) – Dato' Seri (2008){{cite web |url=http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/bm/news.php?id=346382 |title=Tiga Kerabat Diraja Kedah Dahului Senarai 72 Penerima Darjah Kebesaran Jubli Emas Sultan Kedah |date=16 July 2008 |language=ms |access-date=24 June 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170912065403/http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/bm/news_lite.php?id=346382 |archive-date=12 September 2017 |url-status=dead }}
{{Flag|Malacca}} :
50px Grand Commander of the Exalted Order of Malacca (DGSM) – Datuk Seri (2007){{cite news|access-date=19 October 2019|date=13 October 2004|title=Najib heads Malacca awards|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2007/10/13/najib-heads-malacca-awards|work=The Star (Malaysia)}}
{{Flag|Penang}} :
50px Knight Commander of the Order of the Defender of State (DPPN) – Dato' Seri (2004){{cite news|access-date=19 October 2019|date=10 July 2004|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2004/07/10/penang-yang-dipertua-negris-birthday-honours-list|work=The Star (Malaysia)|title=Penang Yang di-Pertua Negri's birthday honours list}}
{{Flag|Sabah}} :
50px Grand Commander of the Order of Kinabalu (SPDK) – Datuk Seri Panglima (1997){{cite web|title=PENGURNIAAN DARJAH KEBESARAN BERGELAR BAGI TAHUN 1997 MENGIKUT NEGERI|access-date=19 October 2019|url=http://www.istiadat.gov.my/v8/images/stories/dkbp_negeri_update/1997.pdf}}

= Foreign honours =

{{Flag|Indonesia}} :
50px Star of Yudha Dharma, 1st Class (BYDU) (1996){{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F_5OAAAAIBAJ&dq=Syed+Hamid+Albar+awards&pg=PA44&article_id=1292,2876820|title=Indonesia Confers Award On Syed Hamid|publisher=New Straits Times|date=7 October 1996}}
{{Flag|Japan}} :
50px Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun (2019){{cite web|access-date=19 October 2019|date=18 October 2019|publisher=Malaysiakini|first=Kantaro|last=Komiya|title=Former minister Syed Hamid awarded Japanese honour|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/496349}}