Abdul Ghani Othman
Encyclopedia
Dato'
Hajji
Abdul Ghani Bin Othman (born 1946). is the current Menteri Besar
of the state of Johor
in Malaysia. He has been in office since 1995. Born in Sungai Mati
, Ledang
, Muar
, Johor
, Malaysia. He is a member of the United Malays National Organisation
(UMNO). He holds the political party position of Ledang
Division Chairman, Johor
State Liaison Chairman and national Supreme Council member in UMNO.
Qualifying for a Colombo Plan
scholarship, Abdul Ghani furthered his studies at Latrobe University in Melbourne, Australia. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Economics (Hons).
Prior to returning to Malaysia, Abdul Ghani completed a Masters in Economics at the University of Queensland
. Upon returning to his homeland, he joined the Economics Faculty at University Malaya (1974–1980) and within several years, was promoted to be the Dean of the school (1980–1984).
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 mobilize Malaysian youths through healthy activities such as sports and cultural events.
In March 1995, Abdul Ghani was appointed to become the Menteri Besar of Johor and has held that position ever since.
awarded Abdul Ghani the Order of the Crown of Johor
; Seri Mahkota Johor (SMJ) medal and the Darjah Kebesaran Seri Paduka Mahkota Johor (SPMJ) in 1989, which brought with it the title of Dato'. Abdul Ghani was then conferred in 1996 the rank of "The Most Esteemed Family Order of Johor" (Darjah Kerabat Mahkota Johor Yang Amat Dihormati) (D.K. II)
On the 9th of 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.
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.
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.
After the 2006 UMNO Annual General Assembly, Ghani elaborated that his opposition to Bangsa Malaysia
and Malaysian Malaysia
was because:
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."
Malay titles
The Malay language has a complex system of titles and honorifics, which are still used extensively in Malaysia and Brunei. Singapore, whose Malay royalty was abolished by the British colonial government in 1891, has adopted civic titles for its leaders....
Hajji
Hajji
Hajji or El-Hajj, is an honorific title given to a Muslim person who has successfully completed the Hajj to Mecca, and is often used to refer to an elder, since it can take time to accumulate the wealth to fund the travel. The title is placed before a person's name...
Abdul Ghani Bin Othman (born 1946). is the current Menteri Besar
Menteri Besar
The Menteri Besar is the chief executive of the state government for states in Malaysia with hereditary rulers. For states without a monarch, the title Chief Minister is used...
of the state of Johor
Johor
Johor is a Malaysian state, located in the southern portion of Peninsular Malaysia. It is one of the most developed states in Malaysia. The state capital city and royal city of Johor is Johor Bahru, formerly known as Tanjung Puteri...
in Malaysia. He has been in office since 1995. Born in Sungai Mati
Sungai Mati
Sungai Mati is a small town in the state of Johor, Malaysia. It is situated between the towns of Tangkak and Muar.Sungai Mati was named in such a way is due to its nature of being an ox-bow lake. It formed or breakaway from main river of Muar River. The "breakaway" cause by a massive flood in...
, Ledang
Ledang
Ledang is a new district in Johor, Malaysia. The district's principal town is Tangkak. The new Ledang district covers Tangkak town, Tanjung Agas, Kesang, Sungai Mati, Serom, Sagil and Bukit Gambir. The district is formerly the northern part of the Muar district which is separated from the southern...
, Muar
Muar (town)
Muar, also known as Bandar Maharani is a town geopolitically situated in Muar District in the region or area of Muar in northwestern Johor, Malaysia...
, Johor
Johor
Johor is a Malaysian state, located in the southern portion of Peninsular Malaysia. It is one of the most developed states in Malaysia. The state capital city and royal city of Johor is Johor Bahru, formerly known as Tanjung Puteri...
, Malaysia. He is a member of the United Malays National Organisation
United Malays National Organisation
The United Malays National Organisation, is Malaysia's largest political party; a founding member of the National Front coalition, which has played a dominant role in Malaysian politics since independence....
(UMNO). He holds the political party position of Ledang
Ledang
Ledang is a new district in Johor, Malaysia. The district's principal town is Tangkak. The new Ledang district covers Tangkak town, Tanjung Agas, Kesang, Sungai Mati, Serom, Sagil and Bukit Gambir. The district is formerly the northern part of the Muar district which is separated from the southern...
Division Chairman, Johor
Johor
Johor is a Malaysian state, located in the southern portion of Peninsular Malaysia. It is one of the most developed states in Malaysia. The state capital city and royal city of Johor is Johor Bahru, formerly known as Tanjung Puteri...
State Liaison Chairman and national Supreme Council member in UMNO.
Early Life: Colombo Plan Scholar and Academic
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
Colombo Plan
The Colombo Plan is a regional organization that embodies the concept of collective inter-governmental effort to strengthen economic and social development of member countries in the Asia-Pacific Region...
scholarship, Abdul Ghani furthered his studies at Latrobe University in Melbourne, Australia. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Economics (Hons).
Prior to returning to Malaysia, Abdul Ghani completed a Masters in Economics at the University of Queensland
University of Queensland
The University of Queensland, also known as UQ, is a public university located in state of Queensland, Australia. Founded in 1909, it is the oldest and largest university in Queensland and the fifth oldest in the nation...
. Upon returning to his homeland, he joined the Economics Faculty at University Malaya (1974–1980) and within several years, was promoted to be the Dean of the school (1980–1984).
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 appointment to the Federal Parliament in August 1986.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 mobilize Malaysian youths through healthy activities such as sports and cultural events.
In March 1995, Abdul Ghani was appointed to become the Menteri Besar of Johor and has held that position ever since.
Awards
The Sultan of JohorSultan of Johor
Sultan of Johor is a hereditary seat and the nominal ruler of the Malaysian state of Johor. In the past, the sultan held absolute power over the state and was advised by a bendahara...
awarded Abdul Ghani the Order of the Crown of Johor
Order of the Crown of Johor
The Most Illustrious Order of the Crown of Johor, or Seri Paduka Mahkota Johor, is a chivalrous medal awarded by the Sultan of Johor. It was first instituted July 31, 1886.It is awarded in three classes:...
; Seri Mahkota Johor (SMJ) medal and the Darjah Kebesaran Seri Paduka Mahkota Johor (SPMJ) in 1989, which brought with it the title of Dato'. Abdul Ghani was then conferred in 1996 the rank of "The Most Esteemed Family Order of Johor" (Darjah Kerabat Mahkota Johor Yang Amat Dihormati) (D.K. II)
On the 9th of 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.
Controversy
He created controversy in 2006 when he called for the scraping of the Bangsa MalaysiaBangsa Malaysia
The Bangsa Malaysia policy was introduced by Mahathir Mohamad, then Prime Minister of Malaysia, to create an inclusive national identity for all inhabitants of Malaysia, thus abandoning the National Culture Policy that asserted a Malay ethnic national identity...
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
Malaysian Malay
In Malaysia, the Malay population is defined by Article 160 of the Malaysian Constitution as someone born to a Malaysian citizen who professes to be a Muslim, habitually speaks the Malay language, adheres to Malay customs and is domiciled in Malaysia or Singapore...
as the pivotal race," he said.
Ghani insisted that those advocating Bangsa Malaysia were echoing Lee Kuan Yew
Lee Kuan Yew
Lee Kuan Yew, GCMG, CH is a Singaporean statesman. He was the first Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, governing for three decades...
's call for a Malaysian Malaysia
Malaysian Malaysia
The phrase "Malaysian Malaysia" was originally used in the early 1960s as the rallying motto of the Malaysian Solidarity Council, a confederation of political parties formed to oppose Article 153 of the Constitution of Malaysia...
made during the early 1960s when Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
was a state in Malaysia, even though the campaign had been repudiated by the government.
After the 2006 UMNO Annual General Assembly, Ghani elaborated that his opposition to Bangsa Malaysia
Bangsa Malaysia
The Bangsa Malaysia policy was introduced by Mahathir Mohamad, then Prime Minister of Malaysia, to create an inclusive national identity for all inhabitants of Malaysia, thus abandoning the National Culture Policy that asserted a Malay ethnic national identity...
and Malaysian Malaysia
Malaysian Malaysia
The phrase "Malaysian Malaysia" was originally used in the early 1960s as the rallying motto of the Malaysian Solidarity Council, a confederation of political parties formed to oppose Article 153 of the Constitution of Malaysia...
was because:
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."
External links
- Umno's Men-In-Waiting, May 12, 2000, AsiaweekAsiaweekAsiaweek, the English edition, was a news magazine focusing on Asia, published weekly by Asiaweek Limited, a subsidiary of Time Inc. Based in Hong Kong, it was established in 1975, and ceased publication with its December 7, 2001 issue due to a "downturn in the advertising market," according to...