Khir Johari
Encyclopedia
Tan Sri
Mohd Khir Johari (1923–19 November 2006) was a Malaysian politician and the former Malaysian Minister of Education.
Born on January 29, 1923, in Alor Star
, Kedah
, Mohd Khir was a Member of Parliament from 1955 to 1982. He was involved in the Malaysian political scene from its inception and served in the Cabinet
of three Prime Ministers
, which are Tunku Abdul Rahman
, Tun Abdul Razak and Tun Hussein Onn.
Upon his retirement he held positions in several organisations, most famously as President of the World Wide Fund for Nature
of Malaysia (WWF).
He died on 19 November 2006 due to a heart attack
and was buried in Makam Pahlawan
near Masjid Negara
, Kuala Lumpur
.
was Khir's friend, mentor, colleague, and later on boss. By the time the Tunku died on December 6, 1990, Khir had enjoyed some 48 years of a very close relationship with him.
It is said that it was politics and patriotism that first brought them together. When the Japanese surrendered to the Allied Forces
in 1945, the Communists in Kedah
, then known as the “Bintang Tiga” or “The Three Stars,” tried to take over the state as their flagship before the arrival of the British Occupation Forces.
Tunku enlisted the assistance of a small band of young men, which included Khir, to stop these elements from achieving their objectives. They had no arms whatsoever, but with sheer guts, they managed to put up a front pending the arrival of the British-led Force 136. This was their first taste of confrontation with the Communists. The lesson in human leadership and sacrifice was imprinted in Khir's mind and he clearly believed that Tunku was the “Man of the Hour.
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....
Mohd Khir Johari (1923–19 November 2006) was a Malaysian politician and the former Malaysian Minister of Education.
Born on January 29, 1923, in Alor Star
Alor Star
Alor Setar, known as Alor Star between 2004 and 2008, is the state capital of Kedah, Malaysia, and Kota Setar District's Administrative Centre. It is also a distribution center for manufacturing and agricultural products such as paddy, and the royal seat of the Kedah state since the establishment...
, Kedah
Kedah
Kedah is a state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The state covers a total area of over 9,000 km², and it consists of the mainland and Langkawi. The mainland has a relatively flat terrain, which is used to grow rice...
, Mohd Khir was a Member of Parliament from 1955 to 1982. He was involved in the Malaysian political scene from its inception and served in the Cabinet
Cabinet of Malaysia
The Cabinet of Malaysia is the executive branch of Malaysia's government. Led by the Prime Minister, the cabinet is a council of ministers who are accountable collectively to the Parliament. According to the Article 43 of the Constitution, members of the Cabinet can only be selected from members...
of three Prime Ministers
Prime Minister of Malaysia
The Prime Minister of Malaysia is the indirectly elected head of government of Malaysia. He is officially appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the head of state, who in HM's judgment is likely to command the confidence of the majority of the members of that House of Representatives , the...
, which are Tunku Abdul Rahman
Tunku Abdul Rahman
Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah, AC, CH was Chief Minister of the Federation of Malaya from 1955, and the country's first Prime Minister from independence in 1957. He remained as the Prime Minister after Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore joined the...
, Tun Abdul Razak and Tun Hussein Onn.
Upon his retirement he held positions in several organisations, most famously as President of the World Wide Fund for Nature
World Wide Fund for Nature
The World Wide Fund for Nature is an international non-governmental organization working on issues regarding the conservation, research and restoration of the environment, formerly named the World Wildlife Fund, which remains its official name in Canada and the United States...
of Malaysia (WWF).
He died on 19 November 2006 due to a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
and was buried in Makam Pahlawan
Makam Pahlawan
The Makam Pahlawan is the burial ground of several Malaysian leaders and politicians. It is located near the Malaysian national mosque, Masjid Negara in the national capital, Kuala Lumpur...
near Masjid Negara
Masjid Negara
The National Mosque of Malaysia is located in Kuala Lumpur. It has a capacity of 15,000 people and is situated among of beautiful gardens. The original structure was designed by a three-person team from the Public Works Department - UK architect Howard Ashley, and Malaysians Hisham Albakri and...
, Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
.
Relationship with the Tunku
Tunku Abdul RahmanTunku Abdul Rahman
Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah, AC, CH was Chief Minister of the Federation of Malaya from 1955, and the country's first Prime Minister from independence in 1957. He remained as the Prime Minister after Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore joined the...
was Khir's friend, mentor, colleague, and later on boss. By the time the Tunku died on December 6, 1990, Khir had enjoyed some 48 years of a very close relationship with him.
It is said that it was politics and patriotism that first brought them together. When the Japanese surrendered to the Allied Forces
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
in 1945, the Communists in Kedah
Kedah
Kedah is a state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The state covers a total area of over 9,000 km², and it consists of the mainland and Langkawi. The mainland has a relatively flat terrain, which is used to grow rice...
, then known as the “Bintang Tiga” or “The Three Stars,” tried to take over the state as their flagship before the arrival of the British Occupation Forces.
Tunku enlisted the assistance of a small band of young men, which included Khir, to stop these elements from achieving their objectives. They had no arms whatsoever, but with sheer guts, they managed to put up a front pending the arrival of the British-led Force 136. This was their first taste of confrontation with the Communists. The lesson in human leadership and sacrifice was imprinted in Khir's mind and he clearly believed that Tunku was the “Man of the Hour.
External links
- Obituary
- Man of the hour The Star, August 15, 2007.