Muhyiddin Yassin
Encyclopedia
Tan Sri
Muhyiddin bin Yassin (born 15 May 1947) is a Malaysian politician and the current Deputy Prime Minister
and the Minister of Education
. He is also the Deputy President of the United Malays National Organisation
(UMNO), the main component party of the ruling Barisan Nasional
coalition.
Muhyiddin grew up in the state of Johor
and joined the state public service after graduating from university. He later took up management positions at various state-owned companies. He joined politics in the 1970s and was elected as Member of Parliament
for Pagoh
in 1978
. During his term as MP, he was appointed Deputy Federal Territories and later Deputy Trade and Industry Minister. As Johor UMNO chief, he became Menteri Besar of Johor from 1986 to 1995.
He returned to federal politics in 1995
and was appointed to the Cabinet
as Minister of Youth and Sports. He was appointed Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs after the 1999 general election
and became a vice president of UMNO in 2000. Under the premiership of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
, Muhyiddin became Minister of Agriculture (2004–2008) and then Minister of International Trade and Industry (2008–2009).
In 2008, he contested and won the UMNO deputy presidency and was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education by Prime Minister Najib Razak in 2009. As Education Minister, Muhyiddin ended the use of English as the medium of instruction for science and mathematics in public schools. He also attracted controversy after describing himself as "Malay
first" when challenged by the opposition to pronounce himself as "Malaysian first."
, Johor
, Malaysia. His father, Muhammad Yassin bin Mohammad, was an Islamic theologian and cleric in Bandar Maharani, Muar, Johor.
Muhyiddin received his primary education at Sekolah Kebangsaan Maharani, Muar, Johor and Sekolah Kebangsaan Ismail, Muar, Johor. After that, he received his secondary education at Muar High School, Johor. Subsequently, he attended Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur and received his honour bachelor's degree in Economics and Malay Studies in 1971.
On 22 August 1972, he married Noorainee Abdul Rahman and they have four children; Fakhri Yassin (b. 1975), Nabilah (b. 1978), Najwa (b. 1986) and Farhan Yassin (b. 1993).
Muhyiddin contested and was elected Member of Parliament for the Pagoh
constituency in the 1978 general election and kept the seat until 1982. Muhyiddin was appointed Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, subsequently promoted to Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Federal Territories and later the Ministry of Trade and Industry. In 1986 general election, Muhyiddin switched to contest and won the Johor State Legislative constituency seat of Bukit Serampang to open the path for him to become the fourth Menteri Besar of Johor after independencs on 13 August 1986.
Throughout his ten years tenure as Menteri Besar from 13 August 1986 to 6 May 1995, Johor saw much more progress. Muhyiddin switched back to contest the Pagoh parliament seat in 1995 general election and served in several different federal government cabinet as Minister of Youth and Sports (1995–1999), Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (1999–2004), Minister of Agriculture (2004–2008) and Minister of International Trade and Industry (2008–2009) before becoming deputy prime minister. He was made the Deputy Prime Minister by the new fifth Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, in 2009. He is also holding the post of Education Minister.
Muhyiddin's luck of his political pursue at the national level in UMNO has a different story. In 1984, Muhyiddin contest UMNO Supreme Council seat but lost. Muhyiddin was later appointed as the Umno Johor State Liaison Chairman and next appointed as Supreme Council member. In November 1990 he offered himself to contest the UMNO Vice-President, but lost again. Muhyiddin attempted again in the November 1993 UMNO party election, successfully this time. But he lost the 1996 election when defending Vice President post. Eventually in the election in 2000 he again won the post of vice president of UMNO until October 2008 party election when Muhyiddin contested the higher post of Deputy President which was left vacant as the incummbent, Dato' Seri Mohd Najib who was acting party president after the retirement of Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
, announced to run for President; and won.
's original transition plan as "too long", and some people say that to one point Muhyiddin was about to ask and force Abdullah to quit, though he never did so directly. Muhyiddin during the 2008 general election, managed to keep his seat, and remained as an UMNO leader. Shocked by the election results, he has called for reforms. Muhyiddin served as one of the Vice-presidents of UMNO too.
During the 2009 UMNO General Assembly and party election, Muhyiddin offered his candidacy and nominated for the Deputy President post which was vacated by the incoming Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak
. He was challenged by Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam
, Malacca Chief Minister and Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib
, Rural and Regional Development Minister. Muhyiddin, seen being the supporter of Tun Dr Mahathir was seen to be the front-runner for the race, garnering many nominations by the UMNO divisions. But the competition went tough, as Taib and Rustam gained more ground especially from the Tun Abdullah Badawi camp. The race was tipped by political analysts to be very tight. However, UMNO supreme council decided to disqualify Ali Rustam candidacy from the Deputy President elections after his assistants were caught involved with corruption after investigation. The election resulted Muhyiddin's election to the post with 1,575 votes to Muhammad Taib's 916.
and unveiled his first Cabinet after assuming the premiership on 3 April 2009.
During Muhyiddin's tenure as the Deputy Prime Minister for Malaysia, he announced several controversial actions. He announced the decision to revert the teaching and learning of Mathematics and Science in English in all Malaysian government primary and secondary school made during Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad's administration.
Muhyiddin waded into controversy in March 2010, by stating he was "Malay" first rather than "Malaysian first". He has also said that there is nothing wrong for other races to do the same i.e. the Chinese could claim themselves to be "Chinese first, Malaysian second" and same for the Indians. On July 13, 2010 he said that anyone was free to form an association, including Chinese or Indian versions of the Malay rights group, Perkasa.
Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak
came to Muyyiddin's defence. despite the 1Malaysia
campaign promoting "a nation where, it is hoped, every Malaysian perceives himself or herself as Malaysian first, and by race, religion, geographical region or socio-economic background second...".
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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....
Muhyiddin bin Yassin (born 15 May 1947) is a Malaysian politician and the current Deputy Prime Minister
Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia
Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia is the second highest political office in Malaysia. There has been ten deputy prime ministers since the office was created in 1957. Although there has always been a Deputy Prime Minister since independence, there is nothing preventing a Prime Minister from not...
and the Minister of Education
Ministry of Education (Malaysia)
The Ministry of Education is a Government ministry responsible for Malaysian educational matters...
. He is also the Deputy President 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), the main component party of the ruling Barisan Nasional
Barisan Nasional
Barisan Nasional is a major political coalition in Malaysia, formed in 1973 as the successor to the Alliance . Along with its predecessor, it has been Malaysia's federal ruling political force since independence...
coalition.
Muhyiddin grew up in 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...
and joined the state public service after graduating from university. He later took up management positions at various state-owned companies. He joined politics in the 1970s and was elected as Member of Parliament
Dewan Rakyat
The Dewan Rakyat is the lower house of the Parliament of Malaysia. All bills must usually be passed by both the Dewan Rakyat and the Dewan Negara , before they are given Royal Assent by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong...
for Pagoh
Pagoh
Pagoh is a town in the Muar district of Johor, Malaysia. Pagoh is accessible via one of the main interchanges on the North-South Expressway, the major expressway on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia...
in 1978
Malaysian general election, 1978
General elections were held in Malaysia on 8 July 1978. It was Hussein Onn's first election since he became the country's third Prime Minister. His Barisan Nasional Party emerged victorious with 131 of the 154 seats in Parliament...
. During his term as MP, he was appointed Deputy Federal Territories and later Deputy Trade and Industry Minister. As Johor UMNO chief, he became Menteri Besar of Johor from 1986 to 1995.
He returned to federal politics in 1995
Malaysian general election, 1995
General elections were held in Malaysia on 25 April 1995. The result was a victory for the UMNO-led Barisan Nasional, which won 162 of the 192 seats. Voter turnout was 68.3%.-Results:...
and was appointed to 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...
as Minister of Youth and Sports. He was appointed Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs after the 1999 general election
Malaysian general election, 1999
The 1999 Malaysian General Election was held on 29 November 1999 as stipulated by the laws of Malaysia for general elections. As expected, the Barisan Nasional coalition maintained its majority in parliament, and thus, its grip on the post of Prime Minister....
and became a vice president of UMNO in 2000. Under the premiership of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Tun Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi is a Malaysian politician who served as Prime Minister from 2003 to 2009. He was also the President of the United Malays National Organisation , the largest political party in Malaysia, and led the governing Barisan Nasional parliamentary coalition...
, Muhyiddin became Minister of Agriculture (2004–2008) and then Minister of International Trade and Industry (2008–2009).
In 2008, he contested and won the UMNO deputy presidency and was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education by Prime Minister Najib Razak in 2009. As Education Minister, Muhyiddin ended the use of English as the medium of instruction for science and mathematics in public schools. He also attracted controversy after describing himself as "Malay
Malay people
Malays are an ethnic group of Austronesian people predominantly inhabiting the Malay Peninsula, including the southernmost parts of Thailand, the east coast of Sumatra, the coast of Borneo, and the smaller islands which lie between these locations...
first" when challenged by the opposition to pronounce himself as "Malaysian first."
Early life
Muhyiddin was born in MuarMuar (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. His father, Muhammad Yassin bin Mohammad, was an Islamic theologian and cleric in Bandar Maharani, Muar, Johor.
Muhyiddin received his primary education at Sekolah Kebangsaan Maharani, Muar, Johor and Sekolah Kebangsaan Ismail, Muar, Johor. After that, he received his secondary education at Muar High School, Johor. Subsequently, he attended Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur and received his honour bachelor's degree in Economics and Malay Studies in 1971.
On 22 August 1972, he married Noorainee Abdul Rahman and they have four children; Fakhri Yassin (b. 1975), Nabilah (b. 1978), Najwa (b. 1986) and Farhan Yassin (b. 1993).
Early career
After completion of his studies, Muhyiddin joined the Johor state public service as the Assistant Secretary of Training and Scholarship. In 1974, he was appointed as Assistant District Officer (ADO) of Muar, but later decided to joined the corporate sector in the Johor State Economic Development Corporation (PKENJ) in managing its subsidiary companies like Sergam Bhd as Managing Director (1974–1977), Equity Mal (Johore) Sdn Bhd as Director (1974–1978), Sri Saujana Bhd as Managing Director (1974–1978) and SGS Ates (M) Sdn Bhd as Human Resource Manager (1974).Political career
Muhyiddin involvement in UMNO began as ordinary member at the Pagoh division in 1971. His leadership was imminent when he was elected as UMNO youth chief in the Pagoh division and the secretary in 1976 and subsequently the youth chief of Johor state UMNO Youth until 1987. In addition, Muhyiddin also occupied the seats of Exco in the national Malaysia UMNO Youth. In 1984, Muhyiddin was elected the UMNO Division Chief of Pagoh replacing Tan Sri Osman Saat. Muhyiddin rose up the ranks and file of Johor UMNO quickly. From a state executive council member, he rose to become Johor UMNO's head and later became Menteri Besar of Johor.Muhyiddin contested and was elected Member of Parliament for the Pagoh
Pagoh
Pagoh is a town in the Muar district of Johor, Malaysia. Pagoh is accessible via one of the main interchanges on the North-South Expressway, the major expressway on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia...
constituency in the 1978 general election and kept the seat until 1982. Muhyiddin was appointed Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, subsequently promoted to Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Federal Territories and later the Ministry of Trade and Industry. In 1986 general election, Muhyiddin switched to contest and won the Johor State Legislative constituency seat of Bukit Serampang to open the path for him to become the fourth Menteri Besar of Johor after independencs on 13 August 1986.
Throughout his ten years tenure as Menteri Besar from 13 August 1986 to 6 May 1995, Johor saw much more progress. Muhyiddin switched back to contest the Pagoh parliament seat in 1995 general election and served in several different federal government cabinet as Minister of Youth and Sports (1995–1999), Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (1999–2004), Minister of Agriculture (2004–2008) and Minister of International Trade and Industry (2008–2009) before becoming deputy prime minister. He was made the Deputy Prime Minister by the new fifth Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, in 2009. He is also holding the post of Education Minister.
Muhyiddin's luck of his political pursue at the national level in UMNO has a different story. In 1984, Muhyiddin contest UMNO Supreme Council seat but lost. Muhyiddin was later appointed as the Umno Johor State Liaison Chairman and next appointed as Supreme Council member. In November 1990 he offered himself to contest the UMNO Vice-President, but lost again. Muhyiddin attempted again in the November 1993 UMNO party election, successfully this time. But he lost the 1996 election when defending Vice President post. Eventually in the election in 2000 he again won the post of vice president of UMNO until October 2008 party election when Muhyiddin contested the higher post of Deputy President which was left vacant as the incummbent, Dato' Seri Mohd Najib who was acting party president after the retirement of Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Tun Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi is a Malaysian politician who served as Prime Minister from 2003 to 2009. He was also the President of the United Malays National Organisation , the largest political party in Malaysia, and led the governing Barisan Nasional parliamentary coalition...
, announced to run for President; and won.
2009 UMNO General Assembly and Party Election
Muhyiddin attacked Tun Abdullah Ahmad BadawiAbdullah Ahmad Badawi
Tun Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi is a Malaysian politician who served as Prime Minister from 2003 to 2009. He was also the President of the United Malays National Organisation , the largest political party in Malaysia, and led the governing Barisan Nasional parliamentary coalition...
's original transition plan as "too long", and some people say that to one point Muhyiddin was about to ask and force Abdullah to quit, though he never did so directly. Muhyiddin during the 2008 general election, managed to keep his seat, and remained as an UMNO leader. Shocked by the election results, he has called for reforms. Muhyiddin served as one of the Vice-presidents of UMNO too.
During the 2009 UMNO General Assembly and party election, Muhyiddin offered his candidacy and nominated for the Deputy President post which was vacated by the incoming Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak
Najib Tun Razak
Dato' Sri Haji Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak is the sixth, and since 2009, Prime Minister of Malaysia. He previously held the post of Deputy Prime Minister from 7 January 2004 until he succeeded Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as Prime Minister on 3 April 2009. Najib is President of the United...
. He was challenged by Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam
Mohd Ali Rustam
Datuk Seri Haji Mohd Ali bin Mohd Rustam is a Malaysian politician. He is a member of the United Malays National Organisation and is the current Chief Minister of the state of Malacca.-Biography:...
, Malacca Chief Minister and Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib
Muhammad Muhammad Taib
Tan Sri Muhammad bin Haji Muhammad Taib is the former Rural and Regional Development Minister. He is also the United Malays National Organisation information chief and former Menteri Besar of Selangor...
, Rural and Regional Development Minister. Muhyiddin, seen being the supporter of Tun Dr Mahathir was seen to be the front-runner for the race, garnering many nominations by the UMNO divisions. But the competition went tough, as Taib and Rustam gained more ground especially from the Tun Abdullah Badawi camp. The race was tipped by political analysts to be very tight. However, UMNO supreme council decided to disqualify Ali Rustam candidacy from the Deputy President elections after his assistants were caught involved with corruption after investigation. The election resulted Muhyiddin's election to the post with 1,575 votes to Muhammad Taib's 916.
Deputy Prime Minister
Subsequently, Muhyiddin was appointed as the new Deputy Prime Minister for Malaysia on 9 April 2009 when Najib took over from Tun Abdullah Ahmad BadawiAbdullah Ahmad Badawi
Tun Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi is a Malaysian politician who served as Prime Minister from 2003 to 2009. He was also the President of the United Malays National Organisation , the largest political party in Malaysia, and led the governing Barisan Nasional parliamentary coalition...
and unveiled his first Cabinet after assuming the premiership on 3 April 2009.
During Muhyiddin's tenure as the Deputy Prime Minister for Malaysia, he announced several controversial actions. He announced the decision to revert the teaching and learning of Mathematics and Science in English in all Malaysian government primary and secondary school made during Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad's administration.
Muhyiddin waded into controversy in March 2010, by stating he was "Malay" first rather than "Malaysian first". He has also said that there is nothing wrong for other races to do the same i.e. the Chinese could claim themselves to be "Chinese first, Malaysian second" and same for the Indians. On July 13, 2010 he said that anyone was free to form an association, including Chinese or Indian versions of the Malay rights group, Perkasa.
Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak
Najib Tun Razak
Dato' Sri Haji Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak is the sixth, and since 2009, Prime Minister of Malaysia. He previously held the post of Deputy Prime Minister from 7 January 2004 until he succeeded Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as Prime Minister on 3 April 2009. Najib is President of the United...
came to Muyyiddin's defence. despite the 1Malaysia
1Malaysia
1Malaysia is an on-going programme designed by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak on September 16, 2010, calling for the cabinet, government agencies, and civil servants to more strongly emphasize ethnic harmony, national unity, and efficient governance....
campaign promoting "a nation where, it is hoped, every Malaysian perceives himself or herself as Malaysian first, and by race, religion, geographical region or socio-economic background second...".
External links
- Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia Official Website
- Johor Menteri Besar Office|Menteri Besar Biography|Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
- My KMU Johor|Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
- Johorean Student Society|Persatuan Mahasiswa Anak Johor (PERMAJ)|National University of Malaysia|Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)|Biografi Mantan Menteri Besar Johor
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